Blue Jays at Tigers
The Detroit Tigers can match their longest winning streak of the season when they go for their fourth straight victory in the second of a three-game set against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers welcomed back Miguel Cabrera to the lineup for the first time in more than four weeks in Friday night's 5-2 victory.
Cabrera's return was overshadowed by the continued torrid streak of Nicholas Castellanos, who homered in his third consecutive three-hit game as Detroit improved to 7-2 in its last nine. Castellanos has multiple hits in eight of his last 12 games, a stretch in which he is 23-for-53. Teoscar Hernandez had an RBI triple among three hits and scored a run for the skidding Blue Jays, who have dropped four in a row and 14 of their last 18. Toronto has lost eight straight games against left-handed starters -- an ominous sign as they prepare to face Tigers southpaw Matthew Boyd on Saturday.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (7-3, 3.84 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (3-4, 3.00)
Happ has raised his game since he was pounded for seven runs over 3 1/3 innings by Seattle on May 10, winning his last three trips to the mound and turning in a quality start in each. The 34-year-old struck out eight and allowed two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings to win at Philadelphia on Sunday. Castellanos (7-for-13) has tormented Happ, who is 3-1 with a 3.74 ERA in eight appearances versus Detroit.
Boyd has permitted one run or fewer in five of his 10 starts, including his last outing against the Los Angeles Angeles, when he earned the win with five scoreless innings of two-hit ball. He has not surrendered a homer in six consecutive starts and has pitched at least six innings seven times. Boyd has no answers for Kendrys Morales, who is 9-for-12 with five extra-base hits and seven RBIs against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers 3B Jeimer Candelario, elevated to the leadoff spot Friday, has reached base in 26 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors.
2. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (calf) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday.
3. Tigers LHP Ryan Carpenter went on the DL with a right oblique strain.