The Toronto Blue Jays are flying high given their recent stretch. After dropping both homestand series against the Rays and the Tigers last week, the Jays welcomed a scuffling Padres squad that had just lost three straight to the Seattle Mariners.

San Diego came out of the gate hot to start the campaign, winning their first seven games before the Chicago Cubs put a stop to their streak. They quickly found themselves ahead of .500 ball and have remained there the rest of the season, although lately the Padres have been scuffling. A potent squad featuring the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Luis Arraez have struggled to put together some timely hits, and the Padres’ infield let the team down last night with four costly errors.

When the dust settled, it was the Jays on top 14-0, and the Padres had to use a position player to finish out the bottom half of the eighth. It ties a previous record for the Blue Jays when it comes to the largest shutout on home turf. It’s now a five-game losing streak for San Diego, with the Jays also squeaking out a win on Tuesday by a score of 3-0.

An early afternoon game before a travel day, the Jays will be sending Bowden Francis to the mound to secure the sweep.

The right-hander has been scuffling as of late. allowing 25 runs through his last seven starts and 35 innings. The long ball has been his biggest issue, with the 29-year-old allowing a league-leading 14 homers so far this season. In his last outing against Detroit, he allowed eight hits and four earned runs across 4 2/3 innings but went over the 90 pitch mark for the fourth time this season. The bullpen is pretty well rested, given Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman’s recent performances, so they may be called into action if the Padres’ bats get to Francis early. The Jays have lost four of the last five games that Francis has started.

Heading to the mound for the Padres is Stephen Kolek, who will be making his fourth start of the year.

The right-hander is off to an impressive start for the Padres, posting a 2.33 ERA across 19 1/3 innings. He already has a complete game shutout under his belt, allowing just five hits and two walks to the Colorado Rockies on May 10th while striking out seven, and has limited the free passes to just five this year through his limited action. He did get roughed up in his last outing against the Mariners to the tune of eight hits, five earned runs, and three homers, so it will be interesting to see how Kolek bounces back. The Texas product worked out of the bullpen for the Padres last season and uses a six-pitch mix on the mound, mainly using his four-seamer and sinker while mixing in a slider, changeup, sweeper, and cutter.

For the Blue Jays, Anthony Santander gets the day off after leaving last night’s game with left hip inflammation. Daulton Varsho slides into the DH spot with Myles Straw taking charge in centre field, and Tyler Heineman works behind the plate with Kirk getting the day off, considering the quick turnaround. Barger slides into the cleanup spot with George Springer also getting the day off, while Jonatan Clase and Nathan Lukes fill out the rest of the outfield.

Almost all of the heavy hitters for the Padres will play today, although Luis Arraez lands in the DH spot instead of first base. Xander Bogaerts gets the day off while Jayson Heyward will sit for Brandon Lockridge to start the game. Diaz will feature behind the plate instead of Martin Maldonaldo, who also left last night’s game early.

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada

First Pitch: 1:07 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Bowden Francis: 2-6 record, 5.63 ERA, 46 1/3 IP, 36 SO, 13 BB

San Diego Padres – Stephen Kolek: 2-1 record, 2.33 ERA, 19 1/3 IP, 15 SO, 5 BB