TORONTO (AP) — Toronto takes an eight-game winning streak into the start of their home series against Oakland tonight. They have moved to within 1 1-2 games of the Yankees for the AL East lead. The Jays lead the majors with 5.28 runs a game. Toronto starter Drew Hutchison has allowed an AL-high 81 runs and hasn’t reached the seventh inning since June 6 against Houston.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals host Pittsburgh to open a key late-season series between NL Central contenders. The teams have split their ten games this season and St. Louis takes a five-game lead into tonight’s showdown.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers are looking to bust out of a season-high four-game losing streak when they host Washington in the second game of their series tonight. The NL West leaders turn to 11-2 Zach Greinke (GREHN’-kee), who is coming off his worst start of the season, giving up six runs in six innings. His 1.71 ERA is still the best in the majors.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs start their home series against Milwaukee tonight on a four-game winning streak that puts them at a season-high 14 games above .500. Chicago heads into the action with a 3 1-2 lead over San Francisco for the second NL wildcard spot.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner goes for his 13th win when he starts for the Giants against AL West leading Houston. San Francisco is coming off a 3-7 road trip that concluded with four straight losses. The Giants start the night 2 1-2 games back of the Dodgers for the NL West lead.
