Blue Jays at Twins
The Toronto Blue Jays look to string together three wins after losing six of seven when they visit the slumping Minnesota Twins on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Justin Smoak and Russell Martin went deep in Monday's 7-5 victory as the Blue Jays increased their season total to 40 homers - second-most in the majors - while Minnesota lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
Kevin Pillar carries a five-game hitting streak (7-for-18) into Tuesday’s contest while Teoscar Hernandez has hit safely in six in a row (7-for-24) for Toronto, which is 7-1 against American League Central opponents in the early going. Marco Estrada will try to keep it going for the Blue Jays while the Twins counter with Kyle Gibson, who has allowed fewer than two runs in three of his five starts this year. Minnesota is producing runs during its downswing but has allowed 90 over its last 11 games, including 15 in the last two contests. Eduardo Escobar has led the Twins’ offense of late, going 11-for-28 with five doubles and six RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (2-2, 6.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (1-1, 3.33)
Estrada has given up five runs in each of his last two starts, suffering a loss against Boston on Thursday after managing a road victory versus the New York Yankees on April 20. The 34-year-old Mexican has registered 23 strikeouts and nine walks over 27 innings but has served up seven homers - four in his last two outings. Logan Morrison is 8-for-21 with three blasts and 10 RBIs versus Estrada, who is 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Twins.
Gibson allowed one hit and struck out 10 over six scoreless innings last time out but settled for a no-decision at New York. The 30-year-old native of Indiana is winless in his last four starts, permitting 10 earned runs across 21 frames since working six hitless innings in his season debut to defeat Baltimore. Pillar is 3-for-10 with a homer against Gibson, who is 3-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six career starts versus the Blue Jays.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins 3B Miguel Sano (five homers, 14 RBIs) has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and could be headed for a stint on the disabled list.
2. Toronto 3B Yangervis Solarte is 5-for-9 with two runs scored, a homer and three RBIs over his last two contests.
3. Minnesota RF Max Kepler has notched three hits in three of his last six games, including Monday’s setback.