The Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves finish off their three-game series Wednesday afternoon at Turner Field

Toronto Blue Jays at Atlanta Braves

Toronto has dropped 10 of its last 15 contests against the American League, including being outscored 7-1 in dropping both games of the current series against Atlanta.  The Blue Jays have actually scored just twice while hitting .129 in losing three games in a row, which happens to be the fewest runs they’ve scored over a three-game span since May 9-12, 2008.  “It’s nothing major,” Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista commented.  “I don’t think anybody’s concerned.  We’ve just got to turn the page, come out and try to score some runs.”  Bautista has failed to reach base safely in consecutive contests for the first time this season.  Toronto is 9-20 in day games this season.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes is 3-5 with a 4.18 ERA this season and has won three of his last four starts.  Over that span, the left-hander has compiled a 3-1 record and 3.21 ERA.  Reyes has compiled an impressive 3-1 mark and 1.79 ERA in six career interleague outings, including a 1-0 record and 1.35 ERA in two starts this year.  He spent his first three-plus seasons in the majors with the Braves before being traded to the Blue Jays last July.

Atlanta improved to 12-7 in June with last night’s 5-1 victory over Toronto and picked up its third straight victory after dropping five of six.  “It was a big game for the team,” Braves catcher Brian McCann stated.  “This is a big game to win.”  Since interleague play began in 1997, the Braves are 123-111 against the National League, owning the third-best winning percentage in the league.  The club’s pitching staff has been outstanding all year, ranking second in the majors in ERA (3.05), first in opponents batting average (.230) and second in home runs allowed per 9 IP (0.55).  Atlanta is 12-10 versus left-handed starters.

Braves starting pitcher Brandon Beachy is scheduled to make his ninth start of the year, entering with an even 1-1 mark and 3.45 ERA.  He will be making his first start since May 13 this afternoon, spending time on the disabled list with a strained oblique.  The injury came during an at-bat, but he has not experienced any problems during batting practice lately.  “My swing feels comfortable,” Beachy commented.  “I’ll try and take some nice, easy swings and go back up the middle.”  In six career home starts, he is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA and opponents are hitting at a .272 clip at Turner Field.

Bettors will be interested in backing the Blue Jays due to their 6-2 mark after three consecutive losses, while the Braves are 2-8 in their last 10 interleague contests versus left-handed starters