The Toronto Blue Jays sit atop the AL East standings out of the gate, and while there is still a lot left in the season, it’s a positive sign to start the year.

The Jays head to Baltimore for a three-game set, which has now turned into a two-game series due to last night’s rainout that has moved the Friday game into a doubleheader later this summer. These are the final games before returning home to face the Atlanta Braves on Monday. The Blue Jays are 3-4 on the road, mostly due to a sweep at the hands of the Mets this past weekend, but the team rebounded to take three of four from the Red Sox, narrowly securing the sweep yesterday afternoon.

Heading into the weekend, the Blue Jays are 6-4 in their last ten games, while Baltimore has struggled to a 3-7 record in the same span, with injuries heavily impacting their rotation. Toronto and Baltimore faced off to start the campaign and split that four-game series.

Tonight, the Blue Jays are sending Bowden Francis to the mound, while the Orioles will counter with Tomoyuki Sugano, who will be making his third MLB career start since coming over from Japan this past winter.

Francis has yet to face Baltimore this season, making his season debut against the Nationals and facing the Mets this past weekend. The right-hander owns a 3.18 ERA through 11 1/3 innings so far this campaign, allowing eight hits, five walks, and four runs compared to 10 strikeouts while authoring a 1-1 record.

Sugano faced the Jays for his first start of the year, earning the loss while allowing two earned uns and four hits through four innings while punching out one batter. He rebounded nicely on the road in Kansas City in his last start, holding the Royals to just one run through 5 1/3 with four punchouts, and this will be Sugano’s first start at Camden Yards with the home crowd on his side.

For the Jays, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Anthony Santander, who returns to Camden Yards for the first time not in an Orioles uniform.

It projects to be an overcast day with some slight risk of rain over the course of the afternoon, so we may see some rain delays throughout the game.

Location: Camden Yards – Baltimore, Maryland

First Pitch: 7:05 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Bowden Francis: 1-1 record, 3.18 ERA, 11 1/3 IP, 10 SO, 5 BB

Baltimore Orioles – Tomyuki Sugano: 0-1 record, 2.89 ERA, 9 1/3 IP, 5 SO, 3 BB