Let's make this single win into a winning streak.
Jays lineup:
4 Travis
0 Donaldson
3 Encarnacion
9 Bautista
6 Tulowitzki
8 Pillar
7 Upton
5 Barney
2 Thole
SP: R.A. Dickey (9-14, 4.60 ERA, 82.3 mph fb)
Angels lineup:
9 Calhoun
8 Trout
0 Pujols
3 Cron
5 Marte
6 Simmons
7 Buss
2 Perez
4 Cowart
SP: Jered Weaver (11-11, 5.25 ERA, 82.6 mph fb)
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In playoff hunt, Blue Jays send Dickey vs. Halos
The Blue Jays turn to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey as they look to remain in the thick of the American League East and Wild Card races with an important matchup Friday against the Angels, who will counter with Jered Weaver in the second of a four-game series at Angel Stadium.
Toronto enters Friday tied with Baltimore for the top spot in the AL Wild Card and two games behind Boston in the AL East.
For Dickey (9-14, 4.60 ERA), it's his first start since Sept. 5, when he allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings in a loss to the Yankees. He beat the Angels in Toronto on Aug. 23, allowing two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. That was the last time Dickey won a decision.
Weaver (11-11, 5.25) has won each of his past three decisions. The streak started in Toronto on Aug. 25, when he yielded two runs (one earned) over 5 2/3 innings. A free agent after the season, Weaver is facing an uncertain future with the Angels, the only organization he's known.
Three things to know about this game
• Josh Donaldson returned to the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday following a three-day absence with a lower body injury. Donaldson is dealing with a nagging hip injury and an undisclosed ailment in one of his legs. He served as the designated hitter Thursday, but it's unclear when he'll return to third base. He doubled and scored Toronto's first run in the opener.
"The fact of the matter is if I can go out there and play, I'm going to do my best to go out there," said Donaldson, the reigning AL MVP.
• Angels center fielder Mike Trout is 6-for-13 (.462) lifetime against Dickey, with one triple and two doubles.
• Dickey's personal catcher, Josh Thole, is expected to start. Thole has caught all of Dickey's 28 starts this season. He's hitting .155 with a .242 on-base percentage in 48 games this year.