Jays looking for timely against East rival Orioles
The Toronto Blue Jays will have another chance to improve their record within the American League East when they open a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.
The Orioles, who are 6-6 against AL East teams, lost 6-5 Thursday to the visiting Los Angeles Angels to split a four-game series. Baltimore completed a 10-game homestand at 6-4.
Toronto is scheduled to start left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (5-0, 3.89 ERA) in the series opener. He faced the Orioles six times last season (three starts), going 2-3 with an 8.10 ERA. In 8 career games (five starts), he is 3-4 with a 6.37 ERA.
Right-hander Kyle Gibson (4-3, 4.67) is slated to start for Baltimore on Friday. He is 5-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 11 career starts against Toronto.
The Blue Jays could welcome back reliever Adam Cimber (rhomboid strain in the upper back) against the Orioles.
The Blue Jays must contend with Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, who hit an impressive two-run home run against the Angels on Thursday. It was his seventh homer of the season. The 25-year-old is batting .285/.407/.462 with 14 extra-base hits, 24 RBIs and a team-best 34 walks. He has been impressive since making his major league debut last May 21.
The Orioles are 12 games over .500 and second in the East to the Tampa Bay Rays, who are winning at a .711 clip. Baltimore is 3 1/2 games back, and the Jays are 6 1/2 behind in third place.
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Originally Posted by Laika
