Toronto will try to extend its three-game winning streak when it travels to Baltimore on Monday afternoon for the first game of a doubleheader. The Blue Jays swept the Pirates over the weekend, picking up a 4-3 win on Sunday. Baltimore had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 5-0 loss to Oakland to wrap up the weekend.
Toronto has gone on several hot streaks during the second half of the season, but it still has some work to do if it wants to make the postseason. The Blue Jays won seven games in an eight-game stretch two weeks ago before suffering a shocking series sweep at the hands of the Angels. They have bounced back with five wins in their last six games, including a three-game sweep at Pittsburgh over the weekend. Toronto is amid a 10-game road trip that wraps up with a series in Texas next weekend. The Blue Jays are holding onto the final American League Wild Card spot, sitting 2.5 games ahead of Baltimore.
Season-high 14 games over .500!
Goodnight, #BlueJays fans ?? pic.twitter.com/RooSDx7eQH
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 5, 2022
Toronto has been an outstanding offensive team, ranked fourth in the majors in batting average (.259). First baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr. leads the way with 144 hits, while shortstop Bo Bichette has 141 hits. They are facing a Baltimore pitching staff that is No. 10 with an ERA of 3.77. Right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman is going to start for Toronto on Monday. He allowed two runs on five hits and a walk across six innings against the Cubs last Tuesday. Gausman posted four quality starts in six appearances last month. He posted a 2.70 ERA during that stretch and has a 3.14 ERA overall this season.