MLB Game Preview - LA Angels at Toronto

Wed Jun 19, 2019 7:07 PM EDT

The visiting Los Angeles Angels have won the first two games of their four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays with contrasting styles.

They won a slugfest 10-5 on Monday and a 3-1 pitching duel Tuesday.

The Angels have reached .500 this season for the first time since April 15 when they were 8-8. Tuesday was their seventh chance to reach .500 since then.

The Angels have not lost to the Blue Jays in five meetings this season. They will try to extend that unblemished record Wednesday night when they start left-hander Andrew Heaney (0-1, 4.57 ERA) against Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez (3-8, 5.04).

The Angels are 4-2 during an 11-game trip as their lineup gradually begins to return to normal. Justin Upton returned from a toe injury to play his first game of the season Monday and homered and singled in his first two at-bats. He did not play Tuesday.

"That was the plan," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "Off day, get him out there (Wednesday). Possible DH on Thursday. In St. Louis, (starting Friday) hopefully the reins are off, and he plays three games."

Upton struck out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning Tuesday and finished the game in left field.

The opener of the three-game series against the Cardinals could also mark the return from a sprained ankle for shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who has started a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Rookie-level Orem.

"He'll play in a couple (games) at least to start with," Ausmus said. "We'll reevaluate from there."

Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez did not play Tuesday after leaving the game Monday with a sprained left wrist suffered when he crashed into the wall trying for a catch on a double.

"He's not bad," Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said. "That's good news. X-rays were negative and he took some swings in the cage. It hurts a little bit, so he's day to day."

Heaney will be making his fifth start of the season and his first career appearance at the Rogers Centre. He did not factor in the decision Friday at Tampa Bay after allowing one earned run on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts in five innings. He missed the first 51 games of the season with left elbow inflammation.

In two career starts against the Blue Jays, Heaney is 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA. He earned the win against Toronto on June 22, 2018, at Angel Stadium when he allowed one earned run in seven innings.

Sanchez will try to end a streak of seven straight losing decisions covering nine starts (0-7, 6.95 ERA). He took the loss May 2 at Anaheim against the Angels when he allowed four earned runs in four innings to start the losing streak. He has not won since April 27. He is 0-2 with a 4.42 in five career games (four starts) against the Angels.

The Blue Jays put first baseman Justin Smoak (left quadriceps strain) and pitcher Edwin Jackson (lower back strain) on the injured list Monday and recalled outfielder Billy McKinney, who could also play at first base, and reliever Justin Shafer from Triple-A Buffalo.

Montoyo did not know who would take Jackson's spot in the rotation when it comes up Saturday. "We haven't talked about it yet," Montoyo said.

The Angels requested unconditional release waivers on reliever Cody Allen on Tuesday. He was designated for assignment on Saturday.

--Field Level Media