Third base coach Charlie Montoyo congratulates Evan Longoria after he crushed homer number 204 over the Monstah on September 24, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Third base coach Charlie Montoyo congratulates Evan Longoria after he crushed homer number 204 over the Monstah on September 24, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Rays packed their belongings and exited the tin can like confines of Fenway Park after winning three of four against the Boston Red Sox. Next stop Toronto, where the Rays will take on David Price and the Blue Jays, in their last road series of the 2015 season.

As with the Rays’ fall from grace, Toronto’s ascension to the top of the AL East has been well documented. Still, the Blue Jays have struggled against Tampa Bay this season, dropping six of seven to the Rays back in April. The Jays, however, have gone 4-2 since.

The Rays will see the Blue Jays after what can be described as a challenging week for Toronto, who has lost three of their last five at home to the Yankees and divisional rival Boston Red Sox, and are just 5-5 over the past 10 games. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, has played consistent ball of late ― winning six of 10, and posting a +15 run differential in those victories.

Kevin Cash will throw Jake Odorizzi, Chris Archer, and Matt Andriese over the next three days. Odorizzi (8-8, 3.38 ERA) fell short of six innings pitched for just the sixth time this season. He also was unable to win for the first time (in six starts) when he received at least four runs of support. Archer (12-12, 2.92 ERA) reached the 200-innings plateau for the first time in his career on Monday night. Unfortunately for Archer and the Rays, he came away with a no-decision after allowing just one run on three hits and five walks in five innings. Andriese (3-5, 4.37) will make the start on Sunday in place of Matt Moore, who will face the Marlins on Tuesday. The rotation shuffle set up marquee matchup Saturday afternoon in Toronto: Chris Archer vs. David Price — student vs. mentor. In any case, Andriese has a 5.27 ERA in 15 relief appearances this year, compared to a 3.62 ERA in seven starts.

Rays and Blue Jays series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue jays by the numbers.
Rays and Blue jays by the numbers.

RA Dickey (10-11, 4.05 ERA) has allowed 13 earned runs over 23-2/3 innings against Tampa Bay this season, but seven of those came in one outing on April 24. Outside of that one blowout loss, Dickey has tossed three quality starts vs. the Rays. Dickey got a no-decision on Saturday despite a quality start, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out three. It was Dickey’s fourth QS in his last five starts. Key matchups: JP Arencibia (1-2, HR, 3 RBI), Tim Beckham (1-3, 2B, 2 BB), Asdrubal Cabrera (6-16, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB), Logan Forsythe (6-19, 2 2B, 3 RBI), John Jaso (3-7, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (10-40, 4 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB), Grady Sizemore (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (2-6, RBI, BB)

David Price (17-5, 2.34 ERA) has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, and in 19 of his last 23 outings. He allowed two just hits during his last start vs. the Yankees, which was the fewest he’s allowed since August 21, 2014, in a loss at Tampa Bay. The Rays tagged Price for five runs on seven hits (including two homers) over six innings on July 28th. The lefty, however, hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any game since. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3, RBI), Asdrubal Cabrera (5-18, 3 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Nick Franklin (1-4, 2B, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3, 2B)

Mark Buehrle (14-7, 3.69 ERA) took a no-decision, giving up three earned runs across six innings on Sunday. He gave up eight hits and two walks while striking out one. The lefty is 14-2/3 innings shy of reaching the 200 mark for the 15th consecutive year, but he’s starting to run out of time. He has two starts remaining, otherwise he might have to chase the milestone pitching out of the bullpen. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (3-5), Logan Forsythe (9-22, 4 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Brandon Guyer (6-18, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (4-11, RBI), James Loney (7-27, 3 2B), Evan Longoria (16-47, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB), Mikie Mahtook (1-1, HR, 2 RBI), Daniel Nava (4-13, 2B, HR, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (2-6, HR, RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— How many Rays and Jays stats can you take? Per the Toronto Star:

The Jays are 1-6 vs. the Rays this year in games decided by two runs or less. The Jays have been outscored by the Rays 51-47 in the 13 games, averaging just 7.5 combined runs per contest.

Jays were 1-6 vs. the Rays in April and that month were 10-5 vs. everyone else.

The Jays were 11-8 vs. the Rays in 2014, including a 5-4 mark at the Rogers Centre.

The Jays vs. the Rays lifetime are 145-163 (83-72 in Toronto; 62-91 in St. Pete and Orlando).

The Jays are 26-35 vs. the Rays at home since 2009.

— With his sixth inning blast in the series finale, Evan Longoria joined Eddie Mathews, Chipper Jones and Scott Rolen as the only third basemen in major league history to hit 20 HR seven times in their first eight seasons.

— Q: See you at Green Bench Brewing Company on Friday? A: See you at Green Bench Brewing Company on Friday!

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