Last night ended rather poorly for the Blue Jays. Toronto entered the bottom of the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead but ended the night with a loss on their record, with the bullpen allowing six runs thanks to some defensive miscues and untimely home runs. The bats are partially to blame, too. A close margin means the leverage arms need to go to work, and the Angels are a team that the Blue Jays’ bats should be feasting on.

The Blue Jays are sending José Berríos to the mound tonight to right the ship, looking to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Berríos has been solid this season, outside of any start against the Baltimore Orioles, who have the right-hander’s number this year. Overall, the Puerto Rican product owns a 3.98 ERA through 40 2/3 innings of work. He’s been prone to the long ball (six homers allowed) and has a higher walk rate than one would like (3.5 BB/9).

He will be facing off against a familiar face in Yusei Kikuchi, who joined the Angels this past winter on a three-year pact.

So far this season, Kikuchi has posted a 4.21 ERA and a 5.06 FIP through seven outings. He’s allowed 37 hits through 36 1/3 innings and has been a bit wild on the mound, boasting a 4.7 BB/9 compared to an 8.2 K/9. The southpaw has yet to earn a win this year, with the Angels’ bats failing to give him any run support during his outings.

The bigger news story for the Jays is the roster moves the club made before the game.

OF Jonatan Clase and RHP Braydon Fisher are joining the club in Los Angeles, and OF Alan Roden and RHP Dillon Tate are heading back to Buffalo. To make room for Fisher on the roster, OF Steward Berroa was DFA’d.

After a strong spring and start to the year, Roden has struggled at the plate and seen his playing time diminish, going hitless for his last 14 at-bats.

Location: Angel Stadium – Anaheim, California

First Pitch: 9:38 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – José Berríos: 1-1 ecord, 3.98 ERA, 40 2/3 IP, 36 SO, 16 BB

Los Angeles Angels – Yusei Kikuchi: 0-4 record, 4.21 ERA, 36 1/3 IP, 33 SO, 19 BB