AP Sports Preview

Blue Jays at Orioles

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles open a four-game series Thursday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, with both teams looking to climb above .500.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT under a forecast of 80 degrees with rain.

Toronto (27-29) enters with a 2-1 win over Miami on Wednesday, snapping a two-game skid. The Blue Jays have won five of their last seven.

Baltimore (25-30) comes off a 6-1 win Tuesday over Tampa Bay, halting a three-game slide. The Orioles have dropped four of their last six.

Pitching matchup

Right-hander Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.28 ERA) is scheduled to start for Toronto. Gausman has been dominant in his last three outings, all wins. He threw six shutout innings May 17 at Detroit, followed by 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball May 22 against Pittsburgh. In his most recent start Wednesday, he allowed one earned run over five innings against the Marlins. Gausman has 23 strikeouts across his last 17 2/3 innings.

The Blue Jays will counter with right-hander Shane Baz (1-4, 3.31 ERA). Baz has been inconsistent this season but delivered his best start Tuesday, holding Tampa Bay to one run over seven innings with nine strikeouts. That performance followed a rough outing May 9 against in which he allowed five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Baz has 24 strikeouts over his last 24 innings, but walks remain a concern.

Players to watch

For Toronto, catcher Alejandro Kirk enters the series hitting .262 with three home runs. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the Blue Jays in home runs (12) and RBIs (38). Shortstop Bo Bichette is batting .289.

For Baltimore, catcher Samuel Basallo drove in three runs Tuesday with a home run. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson leads the Orioles with 14 homers and 40 RBIs. Outfielder Colton Cowser is hitting .274.

Recent results

Toronto’s series with Miami included an 8-1 win Tuesday and an 8-2 loss Monday. The Blue Jays took three of four from Pittsburgh before that, then split a four-game set at New York.

Baltimore’s series against Tampa Bay included a 9-7, 13-inning win Monday. The Orioles took two of three from Detroit before being swept in three games at Tampa Bay.

Next up

The series continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Camden Yards. Toronto then travels to Atlanta for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Baltimore visits Boston for a three-game set beginning Tuesday.

Game notes

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Toronto win. Baltimore is a -1.5 favorite. The over/under is 8.5 runs.