Series preview: Orioles at Blue Jays

ROGERS CENTRE

Friday, 7:07 p.m.

RH Kevin Gausman (2-7, 3.77) vs. RH Marco Estrada (5-4, 2.94)

Saturday, 1:07 p.m.

RH Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 5.37) vs. LH J.A. Happ (13-3, 3.27)

Sunday, 1:07 p.m.

RH Chris Tillman (14-3, 3.47) vs. RH Aaron Sanchez (11-1, 2.72) TV: Sportsnet Radio: Sportsnet 590 The Fan KEY PLAYERS Bautista/Davis Blue Jays’ RF Jose Bautista is still finding his timing since returning to the lineup Monday, but has had success and is always a lightning rod for emotions on both teams when they clash. Bautista has 25 homers, 84 RBI and an .872 OPS in 125 games vs. the O’s lifetime. Orioles 1B Chris Davis has struggled through the current season, but remains everdangerous. Davis is batting .223, with 22 homers and 59 RBI before Thursday’s games, but has struck out 137 times in 414 plate appearances. However, vs. the Jays, Davis is a career .303, with 49 homers, 107 RBI and a 1.079 OPS. Need to know: The Orioles and Blue Jays are 1-2 in the AL East, with Baltimore first overall in the league before Thursday’s games. But there’s a logjam as nine teams are within seven games for the three AL divisions and two wild cards. The two teams meet Friday for the 11th time this season. The Jays are 5-5 vs. the O’s this year (3-1 at Rogers Centre; 2-4 at Camden Yards), including 3-3 in one-run decisions. The Jays have outscored the O’s 60-52, while Jays starters in this series are 3-0 vs. the O’s and Baltimore’s starters are 2-0 vs. the Jays. On Deck: The Jays head to Houston to play the Astros in a four-game set at Minute Maid Park.