GDB 127.0: Can the Toronto Blue Jays steal the series from the Baltimore Orioles?

If late August baseball doesn’t fire you up, I don’t know what to tell you.

Because boy, did we get a beauty on Monday night.

Yusei Kikuchi and the Blue Jays bullpen had a great showing keeping the Orioles in check all night, while the bats found their way to make a difference. The Jays got to Grayson Rodriguez early, and in extra innings, Brandon Belt took a middle-middle fastball deep.

Simply put: that game was a damn vibe.

It also kept the Jays one game back in the wildcard race, and every win is going to be ever more important as the stretch run of the season goes on.

Tonight, the Jays will look to do it again against Dean Kremer, who has been called upon to start with Jack Flaherty scratched. Kremer has shown well against the Jays this year with Baltimore securing wins in both of his starts, and the righty hasn’t taken the mound since Aug. 16, so he comes in well-rested.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has gotten to Kremer in the past launching four home runs and seven hits off him in 24 plate appearances, while Danny Jansen, Santiago Espinal and Daulton Varsho have all hit well against him, too.

First pitch: 7:05 p.m EST — Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650.

Toronto Blue Jays: 70-56, 7.5 GB, 1.0 WCGB, +65 DIFF.

Baltimore Orioles: 77-48, – GB, – WCGB, +76 DIFF.

Moneyline: TOR -133; BAL +115.

*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds subject to change.

TOR: Kevin Gausman RHP – 9-7, 24 GS, 144.1 IP. 3.24 ERA, 130 ERA+, 2.84 FIP, 1.164 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 11.7 SO/9.

BAL: Dean Kremer RHP – 11-5, 25 GS, 138.0 IP. 4.50 ERA, 77 ERA+, 4.87 FIP, 1.312 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 8.1 SO/9.

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about the Jays’ latest series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.