Twins-Toronto series preview
Cool streak awaits the Twins across the border
Three-Game Series At Rogers Centre
Friday, 6:07 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Bartolo Colon (5-10, 6.66 ERA) vs. LHP J.A. Happ (6-9, 3.90)
Saturday, 12:07 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Dillon Gee (1-0, 2.84) vs. RHP Marco Estrada (5-8, 5.07)
Sunday, 12:07 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Kyle Gibson (7-10, 5.76) vs. TBA
TWINS UPDATE
The Twins are 23-56 over the past 11 seasons vs. the Blue Jays and 9-28 in Toronto, having won the season series only once since 2006. They are 41-75 all-time at Rogers Centre. … They have given up at least eight runs their past five games at Toronto and haven't won there since June 11, 2014, going 0-7 the past two seasons. … The Blue Jays visit Target Field for four games Sept. 14-17. … Colon is 11-6 with a 4.23 ERA in 27 career starts vs. Toronto. He gave up three runs over five innings vs. the Blue Jays while pitching for Atlanta on May 15. … The Twins are without 3B Miguel Sano (shin), C Jason Castro (concussion) and OF Robbie Grossman (thumb). … All MLB teams will wear special "Players Weekend" uniforms and caps this weekend, with nicknames on the back and restrictions on shoe and equipment colors lifted.
BLUE JAYS UPDATE
The Blue Jays (60-67) have lost five of six and have not been above .500 at any point this year. … They are 34-29 at home, despite being outscored by 41 runs there. They are 7-11 vs. AL Central teams. … They are without SS Troy Tulowitzki (ankle) and C Russell Martin (oblique), among nine players on the disabled list. … IF Josh Donaldson is a career .382 hitter vs. the Twins, with 13 homers in 33 games. … 1B Justin Smoak ranks tied for fourth in the AL in home runs (34), eighth in RBI (81) and second in slugging percentage (.566). … RHP Joe Biagini, who limited Pawtucket to two runs over seven innings Tuesday for Class AAA Buffalo, reportedly is a candidate to start Sunday. So is RHP Nick Tepesch, who gave up seven runs in 1⅔ innings against Boston in his only start for the Twins in May. Tepesch, who has a 5.14 ERA in three starts for the Blue Jays, has been on paternity leave but is expected back this weekend.
Phil Miller
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