Toronto Blue Jays look to stop skid against surging Angels

May 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a ball during the first inning in a game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. The New York Yankees won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays are searching for answers after a four-game sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros.  While these aren’t the lowly Astros of yesteryear, Toronto looked underwhelming in all phases of the game, repeatedly dragging down strong performances from one area with more glaring weaknesses at another.  Now, the Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Los Angeles Angels to the Rogers Centre for a critical four-game set.

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Toronto now sits at a frustrating 17-22, five games back of the New York Yankees in the American League East, and recent comments from Josh Donaldson indicate that displeasure is growing in the clubhouse.  Los Angeles is not the ideal team to bounce back against, either, as the Angels are 7-3 over their past 10 games, allowing opponents to score more than three runs just once over that span.

Aaron Sanchez will lead off the series for Toronto, followed in order by Drew Hutchison, R.A. Dickey and Marco Estrada.  With Daniel Norris looming in AAA Buffalo after another quality outing, the Blue Jays staff must be on high alert that their early season struggles cannot continue.  Whether the Jays choose to sit a starter for one trip through the rotation or move them out of it altogether, change is coming, and this has to be treated as a motivating factor.

Next: A look across the diamond: Who are the Angels?