O's game blog: O's host Toronto for a doubleheader to begin four-game series

A straight doubleheader is coming up today at Oriole Park as the Orioles (62-43) host Toronto (49-56) to begin a four-game series.

The Orioles beat San Diego 8-6 on Sunday to avoid being swept three in a row as they snapped San Diego's seven-game win streak.

Even with that win the Orioles are 1-4 their past five series. They have lost five of seven, 10 of 15 and 12 of their past 19 games. They improved to 13-18 the last 31 games.

The Orioles had lost eight of their past nine home games until taking the win on Sunday.

Orioles pitchers have allowed six or more runs for six consecutive games, allowing six, six, six, six, nine and six runs. That is the longest such streak since eight straight games allowing six or more runs from Aug. 12-19, 2021.

The Baltimore bullpen has been scored on in five straight games, allowing 15 earned runs in 18 innings.

Ryan Mountcastle had a pair of two-run singles in the Sunday game, in the third and eighth innings. Mountcastle's four-RBI game matched his RBI total of his previous 13 games. It was one RBI shy of his season-high five on June 4 at Toronto. Mountcastle recorded his 29th multi-hit game. 

The Orioles improved to 31-24 at home, to 9-12 this month and to 14-18 versus National League teams.

Colton Cowser's single in the third inning extended his hitting streak to nine games. That is a career high, and since the streak began on July 19 he is 12-for-33 and batting .364/.432/.606.

Cedric Mullins lined a two-run double as part of the O's six-run third inning. He has six RBIs his past two games.

The O's resume American League East games today, and they are 20-9 (.690) on the year within the division. They are 5-1 against Boston, 6-4 versus New York, 6-1 against Tampa Bay and 3-3 versus Toronto.

The Blue Jays come into this series off a three-game weekend sweep of Texas, their second sweep of the year. They won those games by 6-5, 7-3 and 7-3 scores. Among their three-game series this season, the Blue Jays offense recorded season-high numbers over the weekend in runs (20), hits (36), AVG (.353), OBP (.398), SLG (.559), and OPS (.957).

Toronto has won four of five and is 10-7 its last 17 games. Toronto is 14-13 its last 27 games.

Toronto is 13-18 versus AL East opponents and is 23-28 on the year in road games.

New Oriole right-hander Zach Eflin (5-7, 4.09 ERA with Tampa Bay) today makes his first start for his new team. His last game was also against Toronto, last Wednesday, when he pitched against today's mound opponent in Toronto right-hander Yariel Rodríguez (1-3, 3.69 ERA).

In that game, won by Toronto 6-3, Eflin allowed six hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Rodríguez gave up two runs and two hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Eflin this year is 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in three starts against Toronto with a 1.269 WHIP. In eight career games (seven starts) versus Toronto, Eflin is 2-3 with a 5.90 ERA and 1.487 WHIP. In those games he gives up a .282 batting average and .796 OPS to Toronto batters.

Eflin this season has allowed a .696 OPS the first time through the batting order, a mark of .575 the second time and .928 the third time through. In his seven home games with Tampa Bay, he went 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA. He has six quality starts and allowed two earned runs or less in nine of his 19 starts.

In four games in July for the Blue Jays, Rodriguez has gone 1-1 with a 2.01 ERA.

In today's second game, O's lefty Cade Povich (1-4, 6.27 ERA) faces righty Bowden Francis (3-2, 5.82 ERA). 

This will be the only game blog today so readers should stay here for comments during both games and thanks.