Major League Baseball’s vast 162-game season leaves a lot of room for peaks and valleys, and the Blue Jays are living that right now.

Following a double-header sweep yesterday at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays are now riding a four-game losing streak, and have been outscored 40-14 in the process. Another loss today, and the Blue Jays would match their longest losing streak of the year. Thankfully, they get a chance to salvage a game from this series today, but it’ll be a quick turnaround with a 12:35 PM EST start time and hot temperatures.

The Blue Jays will hand the ball to José Berríos for the 23rd time this season and the third time since the All-Star break. Berríos is having another solid season and is on pace to somewhat match his output from the previous two seasons, posting a 3.83 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 7.7 K/9.

Although posting decent numbers against Baltimore for his career, this specific group of Orioles has a few players who you can bet are chomping at the bit to face Berríos today. At the top of that list is catcher Adley Rutschman, who owns a .536/.567/1.036 slash line and four home runs against him for his career. While not as extensive as Rutschman, Cedric Mullins (9-for-31, two homers), Ryan O’Hearn (12-for-37, two homers), and Tyler O’Neill (5-for-12, two homers) have also proven problematic for Berríos. Some of those hits and home runs have come this season as Berríos has allowed 10 earned runs and five home runs between two starts this season against Baltimore.

The Orioles will counter with 29-year-old righty Dean Kremer, who will be making his 21st start of the season and 22nd appearance overall. Kremer’s ERA has hovered between four and five for a couple of months now, and he’s currently running a 4.23 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a 7.3 K/9 on the year.

Kremer faced the Blue Jays on March 29th, allowing five earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts through 5 1/3 innings. As has been the case with multiple Orioles starters, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has had the most success against Kremer from Toronto’s lineup, going 11-for-31 for his career against Kremer with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

Joey Loperfido will make the first start of his career in the leadoff spot, playing in right field. George Springer remains out of the lineup, giving Guerrero a chance to DH and Will Wagner another game at first base. Ali Sánchez, who has already caught and pitched in this series, will start behind the plate for the second time in as many days.

Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

First Pitch: 12:35 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – José Berríos: 7-4 record, 3.83 ERA, 127 IP, 108 SO, 44 BB

Baltimore Orioles – Dean Kremer: 8-7 record, 4.23 ERA, 121 1/3 IP, 99 SO, 32 BB