TORONTO vs. BALTIMORE 8/28/2018 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

As bad as the Baltimore Orioles have been in 2018, it pales in comparison to how poorly they’ve played against the Toronto Blue Jays – at least until their series-opening win on Monday. The Orioles try to build upon one of their more impressive victories of the season Tuesday, when they host the Blue Jays for the middle contest of their three-game set with their sights set on their first winning streak in nearly a month.

Trey Mancini homered and tied a career high by driving in five runs, which proved to be more than enough offense for David Hess and three relievers as Baltimore halted its eight-game losing streak with Monday’s 7-0 victory. The Orioles (38-94) also ended a 10-game slide versus Toronto, improving to 2-12 this season against their American League East rival. Kendrys Morales fell short in his quest to become only the fourth player in major-league history to homer in eight straight games, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as the Blue Jays lost for the second straight time following a five-game winning streak. While Morales was unable to maintain his prodigious power pace, teammate Billy McKinney went 2-for-4 and has recorded four multi-hit performances in nine contests since being acquired from the New York Yankees late last month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Thomas Pannone (1-0 1.59 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Josh Rogers (NR)

Pannone was dominant in his first major-league start Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing only a single and two walks in seven scoreless innings. The 24-year-old Rhode Islander earned the opportunity to join the rotation after holding the opposition without a run or hit in his three relief outings spanning 2 2/3 frames. Pannone sports a 30-18 record and 3.38 ERA in 111 career minor-league appearances (85 starts) but went 0-4 with a 5.36 ERA at Triple-A Buffalo this season.

Rogers is set to make his first major-league start just over a month after being acquired along with two other prospects from the Yankees for Zach Britton. The Louisville product earned his promotion by going 1-0 with a 2.07 ERA in his last three turns with Triple-A Norfolk, although he is 8-9 with a 3.54 ERA in 24 overall starts for the Tides this season. Rogers has been particularly tough on left-handed hitters this year, holding them to a .167 average.

WALK-OFFS

1. McKinney has recorded five extra-base hits and is batting .462 during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Baltimore CF Cedric Mullins went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his return to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a sore hip.

3. Toronto RHP Murphy Smith worked 1 1/3 perfect innings Monday as he became the oldest Blue Jay to make his major-league debut – doing so two days after his 31st birthday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 3