Padres @ Blue Jays

Who will WIN this matchup?

San Diego Padres (26-24)

@ Toronto Blue Jays (20-30)

Starting Pitchers:

Lucchesi (SD): 3-3; 4.28 ERA

Thornton (TOR) 1-4; 4.41 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

San Diego Padres: 4-6

Toronto Blue Jays: 4-6

Current odds:

San Diego Padres: (-122)

Toronto Blue Jays: (+112)

• The San Diego Padres have endured a pair of rocky stretches since opening the season with 11 wins in 16 games, but they have built some momentum entering a six-game road trip, which starts with the first of three at the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. After losing six of seven to fall below .500, the Padres rebounded with a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. An anticipated highlight of the series was a potential matchup between the top two prospects in the majors, but San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is still dealing with a hamstring injury and will not accompany the team on its trek. The Padres continue to get great production from Nos. 2-3-4 hitters Franmil Reyes, Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer, who have combined to smack 14 homers and bat .310 in May.

• Toronto opened its seven-game homestand by dropping three of four to Boston to dip to 9-16 at Rogers Centre and a season-worst 10 games below .500. Prize rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had his five-game hitting streak halted in Thursday’s 8-2 loss but he has five homers and 10 RBIs in the last nine contests.

• Lucchesi is starting to turn the corner after a wobbly stretch to close out April but saw his winless drought stretch extend to four starts last time out despite holding Pittsburgh to two runs and five hits over a season high-tying seven innings. He has allowed six runs in three starts this month, including 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a no-decision at Colorado on May 11. Lucchesi, who has never faced Detroit, has been especially tough on left-handed batters by holding them to a collective .191 average.

• Thornton was denied a second consecutive victory despite a stellar outing in his last trip to the mound, when he had to settle for a no-decision after limiting the Chicago White Sox to one run and three hits over six innings. The 25-year-old rookie earned his first major league victory in his previous turn, overcoming five walks while permitting two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings to beat San Francisco. Thornton has pitched much better on the road with a 2.79 ERA — nearly four runs lower than at home.

• Padres RH Kirby Yates became the first pitcher in franchise history with 20 saves in the team’s first 50 games.

• Blue Jays 1B Rowdy Tellez hit three homers versus Boston and is riding an eight-game hitting streak.

• Machado has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games.