The Toronto Blue Jays aimed to build momentum after winning the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, but their efforts were interrupted when Tuesday night’s game was rained out. The teams will now complete the shortened series on Wednesday afternoon, with the postponed game rescheduled for a doubleheader on July 29.
The Blue Jays secured a 3-2 victory in 10 innings on Monday and hope to win consecutive games for the first time since late April. A rain delay might be beneficial as the team had no reserve position players available due to illness on Monday night. Manager John Schneider expressed readiness for the rescheduled game.
Before the postponement, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was set to return to the lineup. Schneider had informed his team the previous night that no substitutions would be made regardless of circumstances.
The Orioles, on a two-game losing streak, aim to avoid a third consecutive loss and preserve their record of not losing a series to an AL East opponent in 16 series. Baltimore’s offense has struggled, but they recently added outfielders Kyle Stowers from Triple-A and Austin Hays from the injured list. Stowers, who has hit 11 home runs in Triple-A this season, is eager to contribute to the team’s playoff and World Series aspirations.
Baltimore has played extra innings in three of their last five games. Right-hander Kyle Bradish (0-0, 1.86 ERA) is scheduled to start, making his third appearance after an elbow injury. He struck out nine over five innings in his last start and has a 1-3 record with a 5.25 ERA against the Blue Jays.
Toronto will start right-hander Chris Bassitt (3-5, 5.06 ERA), who recently had a solid outing in Philadelphia. He has a 3-2 record with a 4.79 ERA in six starts against the Orioles.
Both teams will have a rest day on Thursday, with Baltimore beginning a series against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, and Toronto starting a six-game homestand.
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