Blue Jays at Giants
After seeing their offense quieted by one National League West opponent, the Toronto Blue Jays will try to get untracked against another team from that division when they open a three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Monday. The Blue Jays dropped two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, scoring two runs in each of the last two games.
Toronto was held to three runs or fewer for the 15th time, dropping to 2-13 in such games following Sunday's 4-2 setback. Despite the offensive struggles, Kevin Pillar is 7-for-17 with a homer, four doubles and six RBIs during a four-game hitting streak. San Francisco's bats also were muted over the weekend, squeezing out a 2-1 win in 13 innings on Saturday before dropping a 2-0 decision the following day in a four-game split against visiting Colorado. Hunter Pence went 6-for-12 with a pair of three-hit performances versus the Rockies.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (2-1, 2.82 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (1-3, 9.00)
Sanchez worked seven innings for the fourth time in six starts last time out against Texas, giving up three runs and seven hits in a no-decision. That followed a superb performance in his previous turn at Tampa Bay, when he earned the victory by blanking the Rays on six hits over seven frames. The 23-year-old Californian never has faced San Francisco, but he has been sensational on the road with a 2-0 record and microscopic 0.86 ERA in three starts.
Peavy was hammered for the second straight start as he surrendered four home runs and was raked for seven runs on eight hits over six innings in a loss at Cincinnati. The 34-year-old veteran lasted two-plus frames in his previous start and was pounded for six runs on four hits and a season-high five walks in a 13-1 loss to the New York Mets. Troy Tulowitzki is 7-for-22 lifetime against Peavy, who has a 3-2 record and 3.64 ERA in eight starts versus Toronto.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson, the reigning American League MVP, is mired in a 2-for-27 slump.
2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt is riding a seven-game hitting streak and has reached base in 16 straight contests.
3. Toronto's bullpen has five blown saves in 13 chances and a major league-leading 10 losses.