Blue Jays at Orioles (Game 1)
The Toronto Blue Jays have the opportunity to clinch their sixth American League East crown - and first since 1993 - when they play a doubleheader with the host Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Toronto has won five in a row and can wrap up the division with either one victory or a New York Yankees' loss to the rival Boston Red Sox.
Kevin Pillar continued his torrid stretch with two hits in Toronto's 4-3 victory on Monday, improving to a staggering 13-for-22 (.591) with two homers, six RBIs and four runs scored in his last six games. The reigning AL Player of the Week is 29-for-86 (.337) in 25 career contests versus Baltimore, but is just 1-for-4 in a small sample size against Wednesday Game 1 starter Miguel Gonzalez. Although Toronto (91-65) holds a magic number of one to clinch the division, it is also is battling Kansas City (90-67) for the best record in the AL and home-field advantage in the playoffs. Baltimore is heading in the other direction, having dropped four in a row as it plays out the string.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (3-0, 1.89 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (9-11, 4.85 ERA)
Stroman is paying immediate dividends for the Blue Jays this season despite being just six months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL. The 24-year-old has posted three victories in as many starts in September, yielding just four earned runs in 19 innings this month after scattering five hits over seven frames in a 4-0 triumph over the Yankees last Wednesday. Stroman flustered the Orioles in his last meeting, allowing just one hit over four scoreless innings to record a save.
Gonzalez will be making his first start since Aug. 30 as he's dealt with right shoulder tendinitis. The 31-year-old has enjoyed facing the Blue Jays, improving to 7-2 in his career after permitting one run on three hits in 7 2/3 innings of a 6-1 victory on May 13. Edwin Encarnacion belted a solo homer in Monday's contest and is just 3-for-25 - albeit all three hits left the park - in his career versus Gonzalez.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto RF Jose Bautista is 5-for-15 with three homers, six RBIs and three runs scored in his last four contests.
2. Baltimore C Matt Wieters is 6-for-15 with three runs scored in his last four games after going 0-for-14 in his previous four tilts.
3. Blue Jays LF Ben Revere has hit safely in four straight and eight of his last nine contests.