The Detroit Tigers got a breather on Thursday after wrapping up their home stand with a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Now, the team hits the road for a set of six beginning on the other side of the northern border.

On Friday night, AJ Hinch and Co. head to Toronto to face the Blue Jays in a weekend three-game series.

The Tigers are still the best team in the American League record-wise have expanded their lead in the Central Division to 3.5 games over the Cleveland Guardians. Detroit also remains tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in baseball heading into the matchup.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays tied for second place in the AL East with the BoSox, sitting four games behind the division-leading New York Yankees.

In the opener, the Motor City Kitties send a struggling Jack Flaherty to the bump while the Blue Birds have their own struggling starter taking the mound in Bowden Francis. Here is how they match up.

Detroit Tigers (29-15) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (21-22)

Time (ET): 7:07 p.m.

Place: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

SB Nation Site: Bluebird Banter

Media: FanDuel Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Player IP K% BB% FIP fWAR Player IP K% BB% FIP fWAR Flaherty 41.0 28.9 8.1 4.61 0.1 Francis 41.2 17.0 6.3 6.34 -0.4

Game 45: RHP Jack Flaherty (1-5, 4.61 ERA) vs. RHP Bowden Francis (2-5, 5.40 ERA)

FLAHERTY

FRANCIS