Toronto Blue Jays set for divisional clash with Rays

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Jun 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3: Wednesday, June 24th   –   12:10 ET

Marco Estrada vs. Nate Karns

Marco Estrada closes out the series with a Wednesday matinee, and he’s suddenly looking quite secure in the Blue Jays’ rotation.  After taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his last start, Estrada sits at 5-3 with a 3.92 ERA.

Estrada still throws the odd hanging curveball and causes the odd cringe, but the Tampa Bay lineup may be a more comfortable matchup for his style of pitching.  The key for Estrada will be to avoid the free passes, as he’s allowed three and four walks in his past two outings.  With Aaron Sanchez‘s spot in the rotation now the position in flux as he recovers, Estrada is set to run with this job if he chooses to.

Nate Karns finishes up the series across the diamond and has been a model of consistency.  Not only has his 3.53 ERA kept the club in most games, but Karns has lasted between 5.0 and 6.0 innings pitched in each of his past seven starts.

Karns has curiously seen his velocity dip this season from 2014, but it hasn’t hurt him.  He’ll still hit 92 MPH with his fastball and turn to a powerful curveball throughout the count.  Karns enters play averaging 8.20 K/9 and 3.53 BB/9.

Next: WATCH: Jays Nest Podcast Ep. 24: Playoffs!?

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