Toronto Blue Jays vs Arizona Diamondbacks: Starting Lineup - Series Finale Preview

At this point its a matter of pride for the beat up and beleaguered American League champions.

Their 6-2 loss on Saturday night ensured a sixth series loss in a row for Toronto, marking the first time that's happened since August 2012.

After dropping their first two games of the series, the 7-13 Toronto Blue Jays are in desperate need of a win against the red hot Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Blue Jays look to veteran Kevin Gausman to right the ship versus Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson.

First Pitch is at 4:10 PM ET on Sportsnet, Dbacks TV, and on Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio.

It seems that whenever the Blue Jays are in desperate need of a win Kevin Gausman is the man to get it done. He also seems to get the least amount of run support.

In his last outing Gausman did not factor into the extra-inning win against the Brewers. He allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five across five innings.

All of the runs Gausman gave up came on a three-run homer from Jake Bauers in the third frame.

However, the Blue Jays generated enough offense for Gausman to avoid the loss, with the veteran right-hander finishing his night with 15 whiffs while tallying 62 strikes on 97 pitches (63.9 percent).

He is winless through four starts but has not yielded more than three earned runs in any of his outings this season, and his 31 strikeouts (across 22.1 innings) are tied with Jose Soriano for most in the American League this season.

The Diamondbacks will counter with right-hander Ryne Nelson. In his last outing Nelson (1-1) allowed one run on five hits while striking out five over 5.2 innings, earning the win in a 7-2 victory over the Mets.

Nelson's first two starts of the season were marred by six walks and four home runs, uncharacteristic of the right-hander.

There were no such issues the third time out. Nelson scattered two hits over five scoreless innings, before New York batters touched him for three singles and their lone run in the sixth.

The bounce-back outing came at a good time for Nelson, as the Diamondbacks consider how best to incorporate Merrill Kelly (back) into the rotation.

Kelly is scheduled for one more rehab start before being activated, meaning someone in the existing rotation will need to go.

Based on the results thus far, the decision seemingly comes down to Nelson (4.20 ERA) and Brandon Pfaadt (6.75).

Blue Jays: George Springer: (fractured left toe 10-Day IL), Cody Ponce: 60-Day IL (knee), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Addison Barger: day-to-day (ankle), Alejandro Kirk: 10-Day IL (thumb), Shane Bieber: 15-Day IL (elbow), Jose Berrios: 15-Day IL (elbow), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (elbow), Lazaro Estrada 15-Day IL (shoulder), Trey Yesavage: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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