O's game blog: Looking for a sweep over Toronto

With a win today, the Orioles can complete their first three-game home sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays since Sept. 15-17, 2014. They have taken the first two games of this series by scores of 5-3 in 10 innings and 7-5.

Orioles catcher Welington Castillo has gone 4-for-8 in the series with three homers and seven RBIs. He had a game-tying homer Friday and later the walk-off homer in the 10th. Last night, his three-run shot in the seventh turned a 5-4 Toronto lead into a 7-5 Orioles lead.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Castillo became the third player in Orioles history to hit three lead-changing homers in the sixth inning or later over a two-game span. He joins Boog Powell (Aug. 15-16, 1966) and Charles Johnson (April 5-6, 2000).

Since May 15, Castillo leads the majors with a .556 (10-for-18) batting average. His three home runs are tied for third in the AL and tied for fourth in the majors. ... His 10 RBIs lead the AL and are tied for the MLB lead.

On the mound in the series finale will be lefty Wade Miley (1-1, 3.02 ERA) for the Orioles and right-hander Marco Estrada (2-2, 3.60 ERA) for the Blue Jays.

Miley has pitched well for most of this season, but his last two outings have been challenging regarding his pitch count. Two starts ago, he needed 119 pitches to go five innings versus Washington. In his last start, he went five at Detroit on 109 pitches. He gave up 13 hits and six runs over 10 innings in those two games as his season ERA elevated from 2.27 to 3.02.

Miley has recorded three quality starts in eight outings, and the Orioles are 5-3 in his games. If they get the win today, he will join Dylan Bundy with the club having 6-3 records in games they have started. In 41 2/3 innings on the season, Miley has given up 36 hits and 14 runs, with 27 walks to 46 strikeouts.

Miley's walk-rate per nine innings is the highest of his career right now and well above recent seasons.

2014 - 3.4 per nine innings
2015 - 3.0 per nine innings
2016 - 2.7 per nine innings
2017 - 5.8 per nine innings

In three home starts, he is 0-1 with an ERA of 1.42 and .190 batting average against.

Estrada has also struggled somewhat in recent outings. Over his last three starts, he is 1-1 with an ERA of 6.00. That has elevated his season mark from 2.43 to 3.60. Over 55 innings in his nine starts, he has given up 50 hits and 22 runs, allowing seven home runs with 15 walks, 58 strikeouts and a .237 average against. In five road starts, he is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA.

Lefty batters are hitting .218 against him and right-handers are batting .255. Both of today's starters fare well when pitching with runners in scoring position, with Estrada allowing a .236 average (.190 with RISP and two outs) and Miley at .184. Miley has given up just one hit over 17 at-bats for an average against of .059 when pitching with RISP and two outs. Opponents are 0-for-6 against him when the bases are loaded.

The Orioles (25-16) moved back into first by a 1/2 game over New York after their win on Saturday. Toronto fell to 18-26 and is in last place, 8 1/2 games behind. With the loss, the Jays are 8-16 versus the AL East They are 5-5 in their last 10 games after a 3-11 start against their division rivals.

The Orioles are 7-1 against Toronto and 17-9 overall in AL East games, including a mark of 10-3 in division home games.