Blue Jays at Orioles
While the Toronto Blue Jays have recorded a win in six of the last eight games, the Baltimore Orioles overcame an early five-run deficit Sunday to give them victories in three of their last four. The American League East rivals look to continue their good fortune at the other's expense on Monday when they open a three-game series at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
Steve Pearce, who played parts of five seasons in Baltimore, set the tone early for Toronto by depositing the first pitch he saw from Cole Hamels out of the park in Sunday's 7-4 triumph over Texas. "Just ready to hit, ready to attack him early," said Pearce, who has gone deep in back-to-back outings while extending his runs scored streak to six games. Baltimore's Manny Machado has collected 10 hits over his last six outings and five RBIs over his last three, highlighted by two solo homers in Friday's 7-3 win in 14 innings over the New York Yankees. The Orioles weren't shy about working overtime again on Sunday, posting an 8-7 triumph in 12 frames for their fourth victory - three of which required more than nine innings.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet (Toronto), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (1-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (0-0, 0.69 ERA)
Happ, who is Toronto's Opening Day starter, evened his record last Tuesday despite surrendering two solo homers and four runs total over 5 1/3 innings in a 14-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The 35-year-old helped himself by striking out nine in that contest, but his fortunes haven't been favorable versus Baltimore as he owns a 4-6 career mark - including 1-2 with a 4.05 ERA in six starts at Camden Yards. Pedro Alvarez (6-for-12) has flustered Happ while all four of Chris Davis' hits have been for extra bases despite going just 4-for-20 versus the hurler.
Bundy is off to a fast start despite failing to record a positive decision this season, yielding just one earned run and striking out 15 in 13 innings. "I feel good about where I'm at right now and my body and the way I'm recovering," the 25-year-old Bundy told reporters. "So, you just want to take the ball when you're told to and go out there and try to give your team a chance to win." Bundy certainly has done his best versus Toronto, posting a 3-0 mark with an 0.76 ERA in seven career appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore LF Trey Mancini has answered a slow start by going 6-for-19 in his last four games.
2. Blue Jays DH Kendrys Morales, who belted a three-run homer on Sunday, went deep four times versus the Orioles last season.
3. Baltimore has won 12 of the 19 meetings between the teams in 2017.