Jimenez vs. Stroman tonight in Toronto

The Orioles close their series against the Blue Jays tonight with a chance to move into a tie for the first wild card.

Can Ubaldo Jimenez carry them to it?

Jimenez has registered a 2.85 ERA in his last six starts over 41 innings. It's been a remarkable turnaround. But he's posted a 9.42 ERA and 1.953 WHIP in four games (three starts) against the Blue Jays this season, and it's been especially ugly at times.

Jimenez retired only one batter in a June 12 start at Rogers Centre, allowing five runs and six hits before coming out of the game. In his four appearances, he's surrendered 15 runs and 20 hits with eight walks over 14 1/3 innings.

In 17 career games, Jimenez has gone 6-5 with a 4.84 ERA versus the Jays. He's 1-3 with an 8.41 ERA in six games at Rogers Centre, with 19 earned runs (20 total) and 26 hits over 20 1/3 innings.

Perhaps the results will change with the new and improved Jimenez. He was 5-9 with a 7.38 ERA and 1.971 WHIP in 18 games (17 starts) in the first half, but he's gone 2-3 with a 3.17 ERA and 1.056 WHIP in 11 games (seven starts) since the break.

Jose Bautista is 3-for-35 lifetime against Jimenez, one of the real oddities in pitcher-hitter matchups.

Justin Smoak is 2-for-21 with a home run and 11 strikeouts, Edwin Encarnacion is 9-for-39 with three doubles and a home run, Josh Donaldson is 5-for-26 with a double, triple and home run, Michael Saunders is 9-for-19 with a double and four home runs, Kevin Pillar is 6-for-16 with two doubles and Devon Travis is 4-for-11 with a double and home run.

Travis has missed the first two games of the series with a shoulder injury sustained in Monday's fracas with the Yankees.

In 17 games against the Orioles this season, Saunders is batting .410 with seven doubles, seven home runs, 15 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

Marcus Stroman held the Yankees to one hit over seven scoreless innings in his last start. He's 0-4 in September, but he's posted a 3.00 ERA in his five outings.

Stroman registered a 7.76 ERA in five June starts, a 3.71 ERA in five July starts and a 3.13 ERA in five August starts. He's 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA in three starts against the Orioles this season, allowing 14 runs and 24 hits with two walks in 16 innings.

Stroman is 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA in six career starts against the Orioles. Adam Jones is 6-for-11, Matt Wieters is 4-for-10 with a double and two home runs, Manny Machado is 3-for-9 with a double and home run, Pedro Alvarez is 3-for-8 with a home run, Chris Davis is 2-for-10 with four strikeouts and Ryan Flaherty is 3-for-11 with a double and home run.

The Jays bullpen has blown late-inning leads in three of the last four games. Osuna, who surrendered Hyun Soo Kim's home run, has blown two save chances in the last three games and probably won't be available tonight because he's pitched four of the last five nights.

Jason Grilli has surrendered three home runs in his last two appearances. Mark Trumbo took him deep last night in the eighth inning.

For the Blue Jays
Ezequiel Carrera LF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Edwin Encarnacion 1B
Jose Bautista DH
Russell Martin C
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Michael Saunders RF
Kevin Pillar CF
Devon Travis 2B

Marcus Stroman RHP

For fans celebrating Kim's return to the lineup tonight, here's a song to get stuck in your heads. Never gets old: