Opposite dugout: Last-place finish on the horizon for Blue Jays

Manager: John Gibbons (10th season)

Record: 61-72

Last 10 games: 2-8

Who to watch: 1B Justin Smoak (.287 with 36 HR, 84 RBIs); 3B Josh Donaldson (.255 with 23 HR, 58 RBIs); CF Kevin Pillar (.253 with 123 hits); RHP Marcus Stroman (11-6, 3.11 ERA); RHP Roberto Osuna (3.40 ERA, 34 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 3-9

Pitching probables:

Aug. 31: RHP Marco Estrada vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sep. 1: RHP Joe Biagini vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sep. 2: RHP Marcus Stroman vs. LHP Wade Miley, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sep. 3: LHP Brett Anderson vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 1:35 p.m., MASN

Inside the Blue Jays:

Not to kick them when they're down, but the Blue Jays have to be in the discussion for most disappointing team in 2017. Of course, there are other teams with fewer wins. And, technically, even the Blue Jays aren't out of wild card contention in the American League (is anybody?). But after back-to-back trips to the American League Championship Series, Toronto is on its way to finishing a season during which it has never cracked the .500 mark. Still, it's too early to actually write off any team, at least on paper. And while the Blue Jays are looking for a miracle run, their opponents are trying to keep their momentum turning. The Orioles are just 1 1/2 games out of second wild card spot and boast a 9-3 record against Toronto this season.

Offensively, Toronto has struggled all season, a far cry from its powerful lineups in recent years. The Blue Jays' .241 average is dead last in the AL and ahead of only the Padres in the majors. Still, there are a few bright spots, most notably first baseman Justin Smoak. Smoak leads the club with 36 home runs and 134 hits. Meanwhile, third baseman Josh Donaldson, hampered a bit by injuries this season, is still a force at the hot corner. Donaldson has piled up 23 home runs in just 89 games, along with 58 RBIs. He's not the only Blue Jay hit by the injury bug, however. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and second baseman Devon Travis are both on the 60-day disabled list, while catcher Russell Martin is battling an oblique strain.

After making his first All-Star appearance a season ago, right-hander Marco Estrada is in the midst of an up-and-down 2017. Estrada is just 6-8 and hasn't won consecutive decisions since the end of May. He did, however, have one of his best outings of the year against the Orioles on May 21. In that game, Estrada allowed just one earned run in 7 2/3 innings and picked up 12 strikeouts. Righty Joe Biagini has spent most of this season bouncing back and forth between the bullpen and the starting rotation. And that's unfortunately due to his struggles as a starter. Biagini is 2-8 with a 6.02 ERA in 12 starts and he's coming off of a forgettable outing against the Twins in which he lasted just 3 2/3 innings and allowed five earned runs. If there's been a bright spot on this pitching staff, it's in the form of Saturday's starter, right-hander Marcus Stroman. With his next win, Stroman will set a career high (12) and will look to win his fourth start in his last five decisions. On Sunday, newcomer Brett Anderson will start for the Blue Jays. The lefty signed with the Blue Jays earlier this month after spending the beginning part of 2017 with the Cubs. Anderson pitched a gem in his Blue Jays debut, allowing one earned run and issuing no walks against the Red Sox. He'll make just his second career appearance against the Orioles. In his only other start against the Birds, Anderson gave up five earned runs in as many innings.

Despite the team's lack of success in the win column, closer Roberto Osuna has tallied 34 saves, second-most in the American League. Along with Osuna, the Blue Jays bullpen features right-handers Ryan Tepera and Dominic Leone, along with southpaw Aaron Loup.