The Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins are set to play their second game of a weekend series at Target Field

Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins

Toronto moved its record to 3-1 versus Minnesota during the 2011 campaign with a 2-0 shutout road victory Friday night at Target Field.  “Ricky was outstanding tonight, there’s no doubt about that,” said Blue Jays manager John Farrell about Friday’s starter Ricky Romero.  Last season, the Blue Jays posted an overall record of 6-3 against tonight’s opponent and have won five straight season series dating back to 2006.  Toronto’s offense collected 13 hits in the game, but managed to get just two runs across, leaving 14 runners on base.  In the ninth, outfielder Jose Bautista launched his 12th home run of the season.  Toronto is 3-13 in day games this season.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes is 0-3 with a 5.00 ERA in seven starts this season, as the team has posted a 2-5 record with him on the mound.  The left-hander has suffered through 25 winless starts and is just three outings away from tying the big league record for most without a victory.  Reyes will be making his fifth road start of the year, going 0-2 with a 2.89 ERA, allowing 22 hits over 18 2/3 innings of work.  He will be making his first career start versus the Twins this evening.

Minnesota has yet to win a game when getting out-hit by the opposition, as its record fell to 0-17 last night, collecting just four hits to Toronto’s 13.  The Twins have scored a total of 15 runs in their six consecutive losses.  “We’ve got things to work on, they’re working really hard and the guys are getting after it,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.  “We’ve got to continue that and then hopefully we’ll get our players back.”  The club has posted a disappointing 4-8 record at home this season, but their .613 winning percentage (57-38) at Target Field still ranks fourth-best in the American League since the beginning of the 2010 campaign.  Minnesota is 0-3 after getting shutout this season.

Twins starting pitcher Nick Blackburn is 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA in seven starts this season and has allowed just two runs and 11 hits over his last 13 innings of work.  The right-hander had picked up losses in both home starts this year, issuing seven free passes and collecting just two strikeouts in 9 1/3 frames.  In three career starts versus the Blue Jays, Blackburn is an even 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA, as hitters are managing just a .205 average against him.  He posted a 4-3 road victory over Toronto in his season opener, scattering six hits and surrendering two runs (one earned) over 5 2/3 innings.

Bettors will likely back the Blue Jays due to their 23-7 record in the last 30 meetings, while the Twins are 2-8 in their last 10 home games versus left-handed starters.