(Photo credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays have stumbled a bit since soaring to the top of the American League East by winning 19 of 23 games.

Toronto has lost six of its last eight contests to see its lead in the division dwindle to three games.

The Blue Jays can turn things around when they begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night in Denver.

Left-hander Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68 ERA) will start for the Blue Jays in the opener against Colorado right-hander Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85).

Gordon, who has yet to face Toronto in his career, will make his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 23.

Lauer has become a vital part of the Blue Jays' rotation after beginning the season in the minors. He began his career with San Diego in 2018 and was part of Milwaukee's playoff run in 2021 -- he also excelled there in 2022 -- but he struggled after that.

Lauer dealt with arm and shoulder injuries and didn't pitch in the majors in 2024. He was recalled by the Blue Jays in late April after injuries thinned their pitching staff, and he has provided an impact.

Lauer has appeared in 17 games (11 starts) and has been a fixture in the rotation since June 11. He has allowed more than two runs on two occasions in his starts -- and no more than three runs -- and is 4-1 since becoming a full-time starter.

'I think I've really taken advantage of the spots that I've been put into,' Lauer said recently. 'That was my game plan the whole time. Show what I can do, hopefully edge my way into the rotation as a permanent spot.'

He has faced the Rockies 12 times in his career but has struggled in those outings. He is 1-6 with a 7.58 ERA against them, and his record in Denver is worse -- 0-6 with a 12.73 ERA in seven starts.

Lauer will face the worst team in baseball but one that is feeling confident. Colorado, despite having just 30 wins, is 8-7 since the All-Star break and 6-3 at home in that stretch.

The Rockies are coming off a 9-5 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday but rallied to win the first two games of the series. Colorado has averaged seven runs over the last nine home games.

One of the offensive sparks has been outfielder Jordan Beck, who batted .455 with two home runs and six RBIs in the series win against the Pirates. He has raised his average from .264 to .279 over the last 15 games.

Beck has reached base in 16 of the last 19 games, and his .314 average in 23 games in July has coincided with Colorado's recent surge. The Rockies won't reach the postseason but are on pace to avoid setting the record for most losses (121) in the modern era.

'The All-Star break was a good reset for us,' Beck said. 'We came back in the second half, even after the trades and stuff happened, and felt like, 'All right, we got what we got. Let's do it.''

--Field Level Media