A day after they closed out the series with a split against those dastardly Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays will welcome the Toronto Blue Jays into The Trop for a three game set. For the Rays, they’ll attempt to use their Labor Day win as a springboard for a run in the final month of play. With all reasonable expectations of a postseason berth off the table, there is the running hope they can end the season on a high note.
Toronto continues to wobble it’s way to game 162. The Blue Jays finally won their second series in the month of August, closing out the month with a 4-3 win against the Yankees, Sunday — a horrendous run of play which included a series loss to the Rays the weekend of August 23rd.
Over the last week since their last meeting, Jose Bautista has gone on a power trip, homering in five consecutive games, giving him 29 overall — one more than Edwin Encarnacion. Melky Cabrera tallied a few more hits making him second in the American League with 169. However, the overall offense is lacking. Per Marc Topkin, the high-powered Jays were held to three or fewer runs 15 times in 26 August games, including seven of their last 11.
RA Dickey: Per Rotowire, Dickey gave up three runs — one earned — on five hits over six innings while striking out six and walking two for no decision against the visiting Red Sox. Dickey (10-12, 4.00 ERA) took a loss in his previous two appearances against the Rays this season. Tampa Bay handled the knuckleballer on opening day, tagging Dickey with six runs in five innings. He was much better in July, relinquishing only two runs on five hits and a walk. Such is the life of a knuckleballer. More recently, Dickey’s given up four or more runs in four of his last eight outings. Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (3-11, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Ryan Hanigan (1-3, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (6-25, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB).
Marcus Stroman: After being touched for six runs (five earned) on 10 hits against the Rays on August 22nd, Stroman (8-5, 3.88 ERA) held the Red Sox to only one earned run in 7-2/3 innings of work. Despite an excellent home record and ERA, Stroman is 2-3, with a 6.33 ERA on the road. Per his scouting report on BaseballAmerica.com, his change up still needs work, though his fastball and slider appear ready for the big time. Key matchups: Curt Casali (2-3), Yunel Escobar (1-3), Desmond Jennings (2-4, RBI), Matt Joyce (1-2, 2B, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (2-2, HR, RBI, BB).
Mark Buehrle: Buehrle (11-9, 3.59 ERA) has been an anomaly which the Rays haven’t been able to crack this season. Though they should have won the last two games he’s started, both culminated in extra innings walk-off wins for the Blue Jays. Buehrle is coming off a 6-3 loss against the Yankees, Saturday. Key matchups: Yunel Escobar (7-23, 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Logan Forsythe (6-10, 2 2B, BB), Brandon Guyer (2-7), Desmond Jennings (9-22, 2B, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (1-1), James Loney (6-24, 3 2B, Evan Longoria (10-36, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB), Jose Molina (14-44, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB), Sean Rodriguez (9-30, 4 2B, 5 RBI), Ben Zobrist (9-24, 2B, 4 RBI, BB).
Noteworthiness
- Toronto scored three runs or fewer 15 times in August and its 18 homers were tied for the fourth-fewest in the league.
- Dickey is 3-3 with a 4.44 ERA over his last eight starts. He is 1-3 with a 5.17 ERA in his last five starts against Tampa Bay.
- The Blue Jays lead the season series seven games to six, while the Rays lead 153-136 overall — they’re 87-57 at Tropicana Field.