O's game blog: Hellickson faces Toronto in series opener

The Orioles will try to run their season-high winning streak to eight games tonight as they host Toronto to start a four-game series. The Orioles last won eight in a row from April 22-May 1, 2005.

Winners of eight of nine and 26 of their past 42 games, the Orioles have outscored their opponents 52-24 during their win streak.

Toronto is 61-72 and just got swept three straight by Boston. It was the Jays' fourth time they were swept in a series of three or more games. Toronto is 2-10 in its last 12 games.

Toronto allowed 11 stolen bases in 11 attempts in three games versus Boston. That is the most allowed by any team in a three-game series this year. The last time the Blue Jays allowed 11 in a three-game set was at Seattle May 7-9, 2002.

Toronto has lost six of its last seven road games and is 6-15 in the last 21. The Orioles lead the season series nine wins to three, winning all four series.

Orioles right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 5.46 ERA) will make his sixth start for his new team tonight. The Orioles are 3-2 in the first five and he has recorded three quality starts.

The most recent was in his last start, Friday at Boston. He went seven innings, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned) on 104 pitches. As an Oriole lefty batters have hit .196 against him and right-handers are batting .279.

Toronto's starter is right-hander Marco Estrada (6-8, 5.04 ERA), who will be making his fourth start versus Baltimore and his 28th for the season. He has five quality starts his last six games.

In five August starts, he is 2-1 with a 4.45 ERA and .252 batting average against. In 15 road starts, he is 2-5 with a 5.28 ERA.

He has made three starts against the Orioles, going 1-0 with a 1.31 ERA. Over 20 2/2 he has allowed six walks and 24 strikeouts. He has won five straight decisions over the Orioles dating to 2015 and he has held Baltimore hitters to an average of .184 over 13 career outings.

American League East teams' win percentage within the division:
.577 - Orioles (30-22)
.547 - New York (29-24)
.526 - Boston (30-27)
.456 - Tampa Bay (26-31)
.404 - Toronto (23-34)

The Orioles end the year with 24 of their final 29 games against AL East clubs.