As the Toronto Blue Jays sputter through the rest of the 2024 campaign, the team they open a series against Friday night — the Minnesota Twins — are dealing with much of the same.

Over their last 10 games, they’ve won just two, getting outscored 54-46. There hasn’t been much damage regarding their standings position, still holding a 3.5-game lead on the Boston Red Sox for the final American League Wild Card position.

But this isn’t the time of year when a club with playoff hopes want to be, sputtering instead of shining.

They’ll send Pablo Lopez to the mound Friday to open the three-game set against Toronto as heavy favourites, something Kevin Gausman and the Blue Jays will look to overcome. Toronto has momentum on their side over their last 10 games, outscoring their opponents 50-36.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s continued to lead the way over this 10-game span, slashing .424/.513/.636 for a 1.149 OPS across 39 plate appearances, but some young players have emerged, too. Addison Barger (36 PA’s, .303/.333/.576, .909 OPS), Spencer Horwitz (36 PA’s, .241/.353/.552, .905 OPS) and Joey Loperfido (35 PA’s, .273/.314/.576, .890 OPS).

First pitch: 8:10 p.m. EST.

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590.

Moneyline: TOR +145; MIN -170.
Spread: TOR +1.5 -160; MIN -1.5 +135.
Over/Under: o7.5 -120; u7.5 +100.

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

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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@thenationnetwork.com.