The Toronto Blue Jays could put the cherry on top of a resounding first half on Sunday.
In their final game before the all-star break, the Blue Jays will look to win the rubber match of a three-game series against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif.
Toronto has won five straight series, including its recent 10-game winning streak, to surge into the division lead with a 55-40 record.
But a 4-3 loss against the Athletics (40-57) on Saturday — in which the Blue Jays committed three errors — put some extra pressure on Sunday’s finale as Toronto hopes to avoid entering the break with a sour taste in its mouth.
Live coverage of Sunday’s contest will begin at 4:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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Watch Blue Jays vs. Athletics
The Blue Jays battle the Athletics in a three-game series heading into the all-star break this weekend. Catch Sunday’s game at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.
José Berríos (5-3, 3.53 ERA) will get the start for the Blue Jays opposite Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs (7-6, 3.92) in what could prove to be a pitchers’ duel.
Berríos is coming off a dominant start in his last outing against the Chicago White Sox, allowing two hits and one run over six innings to pick up the win.
Likewise, Springs also allowed just one run over six innings in his previous start to beat the Atlanta Braves. However, he coughed up six runs over just two frames in a start against the Blue Jays in May.
Getting to Springs again could be key for the Blue Jays, who have a 39-3 record in games when they scored at least five runs.
The matchup Sunday is the seventh time these teams square off this season. The Blue Jays hold a 5-1 advantage in the season series.
The lone loss Saturday came as the Blue Jays failed to find much offence at the hitter-friendly minor-league park that the A’s are calling home ahead of a planned move to Las Vegas.
Toronto scored just three runs on six hits in the defeat while starter Kevin Gausman lasted only five innings.
But Sunday is an opportunity to put that game in the rear-view mirror and propel the Blue Jays into the second half, which could present a fierce battle for playoff positioning.
Prior to Sunday’s action, the New York Yankees (53-42) sat two games back of the Blue Jays while the third-place Boston Red Sox (52-45) were four back thanks to a nine-game winning streak.
Toronto’s lone all-star representatives in Atlanta will be first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and catcher Alejandro Kirk.
