(My Sportsbook) - The Toronto Blue Jays get their first taste of American League East Division competition this evening when they begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre.

In a scheduling oddity, the Blue Jays have played all 24 of their games outside the division, which they led up until they were passed by the Boston Red Sox by percentage points earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the Orioles started strong in the season's first week but have struggled since, plummeting to 9-13 and leading only the disappointing Tampa Bay Rays in the five-team loop.

Second in the AL in wins behind only Zack Greinke in Kansas City, Toronto veteran workhorse Roy Halladay will try to go at least seven innings for the sixth straight time

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder went seven innings each while winning his first three starts of 2009, then went eight in a loss to Texas before bouncing back to top the Chicago White Sox in April 26.

That win, at U.S. Cellular Field, saw Halladay allow eight hits and three runs in seven innings, walking one and striking out six while tossing a season-high 119 pitches.

Halladay won a pair of starts against the Orioles last season, tossing 14 2/3 innings and giving up 15 hits and five runs, while walking just one batter and striking out 13.

For Baltimore, 34-year-old southpaw Mark Hendrickson tries to snap a three- start skid.

A 6-foot-9, 230-pounder, Hendrickson was solid in downing Tampa Bay, 5-4, in his initial start on April 10, but has subsequently dropped three in a row at Texas, at Boston and home with the Rangers.

In the three losses, he's allowed 22 hits and 18 runs - 10 earned - in just 13 innings.

He threw 79 pitches over 4 1/3 innings against the Rangers on April 25, losing a 6-5 verdict.

Hendrickson last met the Blue Jays in 2007, making three relief appearances and surrendering seven hits and five runs in 6 2/3 innings.

On Thursday in Kansas City, John Buck finished 3-for-3 with two triples and five RBI as the Royals topped Toronto, 8-6, in the finale of a four-game set from Kauffman Stadium.

Adam Lind hit a two-run homer and Marco Scutaro added a solo shot for the Blue Jays, losers in four of their last six overall. Travis Snider, Raul Chavez and Vernon Wells each added an RBI in the setback.

Brian Burres (0-2) took the loss, charged with five hits and six runs -- four earned -- over his two-plus inning start.

On Wednesday in Baltimore, Torii Hunter and Kendry Morales hit back-to- back home runs in the seventh to help the LA Angels of Anaheim take a 3-2 win over the Orioles and sweep a two-game set at Camden Yards.

Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff each had an RBI for the Orioles, who have lost five of their last six. Koji Uehara (2-2) was saddled with the loss for giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of work.

Toronto won 12 of its 18 matchups with the Orioles a year ago.