Rays vs Blue Jays series preview Archives - Page 3 of 7

The New What Next: Rays vs. Blue Jays — a series preview; part three

May 16, 2016 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

(Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

A day after the Athletics finished off the Tampa Bay Rays, and Rougned Odor finished off Jose Bautista, a pair of AL East foes will clash north of the border, at the Rogers Centre. The Rays and Blue Jays have previously battled twice this season, with Tampa Bay winning three of the seven contests.

Suffice it to say, the Rays are not playing their best baseball right now, losing five of their last six contests. They did beat up on the Athletics 6-0 on Saturday, however, the team has allowed 30 runs over a six game stretch. Simply put, they need both their pitching and offense to step up.

Granted, as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote*, they are hitting more home runs than ever at this point of the season — 50 through Sunday, 1.43 per game — and are on a pace for 226, which would smash their club record of 199 set in 2009. However, the homers have accounted for an unsustainable percentage of the total runs scored, nearly 60% — well above the league average of 37.3%. And even with the power surge, the team ranks near the bottom of the league in runs scored.

Steven Souza Jr. has eight of those homers and 16 RBI, while Corey Dickerson also has eight homers — and leads the team with 17 RBI — but he is hitting just .183.

As for Toronto, the Blue Jays are starting to play better, yet they are still too inconsistent, especially offensively. This was an offense that was one of the best in baseball last season, but this year it has been a different story altogether. In 2015, the Jays outscored their closest competitor by over 100 runs as they led the majors. Currently, however, Toronto is just seventh in the AL in scoring.

That offense also ranks 20th in the league in scoring, putting up just 4.08 runs per game. And while they average 4.32 runs per game in the Six, the Jays allow 4.11 runs per game in the Rogers Centre. As of Thursday, the 3-4-5 batters were hitting a combined .179 in 452 plate appearances. Toronto’s greatest strength has been the weakness of the club so far.

Kevin Cash will throw Drew Smyly (1-4, 3.63 ERA), Chris Archer (2-4, 4.57 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 3.83 ERA) over the next three days. John Gibbons will counter with JA Happ (5-0, 2.05 ERA), Marcus Stroman (4-0, 3.54 ERA) and RA Dickey (2-4, 4.31 ERA).

Smyly didn’t have his best stuff in his last start, but he competed Tuesday, taking the loss against Seattle. With a deceptive fastball thanks to his over the top delivery, look for Smyly to try to get ahead of Toronto’s batters. He is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three career outings at Rogers Centre. Archer went 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in three starts leading up to Wednesday’s no-decision, when his control lapsed once again. Not attacking the zone, and falling behind in the counts, have been his biggest enemy this season. He’s 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts against Toronto this year. Odorizzi is still searching for his first win. He’s 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA in three May starts, and he’s 2-2 with a 3.31 ERA in eight career starts against Toronto.

Happ turned in a gem on Tuesday, pitching 8-2/3 innings of six-hit shutout ball. He baffled the Giants lineup all night long, throwing 75 of 111 pitches for strikes and recording 20 of 32 first-pitch strikes. Happ has been particularly sharp in his last two starts, surrendering just one earned run over the last 15-2/3 innings, while fanning 10 and not surrendering any home runs. A caveat for the 33 year-old lefty, the current metrics indicate that he’s pitching above his head. Happ’s 2.05 ERA is almost two full runs below his career figure (4.04), while his .267 BABP over the last 14 days speaks to a certain measure of luck. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (3-9, 2B, RBI, BB), Desmond Jennings (3-12, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (9-24, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (2-3), Logan Morrison (7-14, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (8-24, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (4-9, 2 2B, HR, RBI)

Stroman is on a nine-game winning streak — the longest by a Toronto pitcher since Roy Halladay won 15 consecutive decisions in 2003. Wednesday’s late-inning rally against San Francisco got Stroman off the hook for the loss and kept his winning streak alive. the 25 year-old righty was last tagged with a loss on September 20, 2014. This will be Stroman’s third start against Tampa Bay in 2016. He went eight innings each of the first two times and has allowed a total of four runs. Key matchups: Curt Casali (2-3), Hank Conger (3-8, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Desmond Jennings (3-8, RBI), Evan Longoria (6-12, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (3-5, HR, RBI, BB)

Dickey pitched eight scoreless frames and gave up just three hits in a victory over Texas on Friday. He fanned six and walked one. The veteran knuckleballer posted his third consecutive quality start, flummoxing batters up and down the Rangers lineup. Dickey induced 14 whiffs — the most for him since he recorded a season-high nine against the Red Sox on April 9th. The 41-year-old has been able to lower his ERA from 6.75 to 4.31 because of most recent trio of solid appearances. Dickey is 8-8 with a 5.45 ERA in 16 career starts against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3, 2B, 2 BB), Curt Casali (1-4), Hank Conger (1-2), Brandon Guyer (3-12, 2B, RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (12-46, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-8, HR, 2 RBI, BB)

*I updated the numbers to account for Tampa Bay’s four weekend homers.

Noteworthiness

— Evan Longoria has collected a double and a run scored in four consecutive games.

— Brandon Guyer homered twice on Sunday and has recorded four hits and seven RBI in his last two games, but is just 2-14 (.143) lifetime against Happ.

— Troy Tulowitzki is 8-20 (.400) with three homers, seven RBI and as many runs scored in his last five contests.

— Josh Donaldson went 0-14 in his last three games, but is 7-14 with three homers in his career versus Smyly.

— According to Winners and Whiners…

Tampa Bay is:

1-4 in their last five road games vs. a left-handed starter

1-4 in their last five during game one of a series

Toronto is:

15-5 in their last 20 home games vs. a team with a losing record

19-9 in their last 28 home games following a road trip of seven or more days

The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays ― a series preview, part two

April 29, 2016 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. scores on an RBI double by Tampa Bay Rays catcher Curt Casali in the fifth inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Coming off a 3-1 loss, yet a series win, against Baltimore, the Tampa Bay Rays welcome the Toronto Blue Jays into the Trop for a three-game series, starting Friday. Tampa Bay is playing its fourth straight series against an AL East opponent while Toronto has already played 17 games within the division.

The Rays could not complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles despite allowing just three hits in the series finale. However, Tampa Bay, which split a four-game series against Toronto to open the season, is 7-4 over its last 11 games. Over that stretch, leadoff hitter Logan Forsythe is batting .395. He ranks among the AL leaders with an overall .307 average, and has collected seven doubles and an impressive .935 OPS.

Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke about Forsythe with Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times), saying,

He’s been outstanding. Maybe I haven’t talked enough about him. We asked a guy who had a really good year to change up and go into that leadoff spot. Part of the reason why is we thought No. 1 it would get him more at-bats, but it was going to make us a better lineup. … He bought in, which kind of shows what he’s about, and the teammate he is. Then he goes and he just continued to knock the cover off the ball.

Rays and Blue Jays offensive production (last 14 days).

Rays and Blue Jays (by the numbers).

Still the Rays are searching for consistent offense after totaling six runs and batting .180 with 27 strikeouts, while winning two of three from Baltimore. There is a bright side though, Tampa Bay has scored 16 of its last 19 runs with two outs and its .510 slugging percentage with two outs is tops in the American League.

The sputtering Blue Jays, on the other hand, come in after being swept in three-games by the ChiSox. Toronto has dropped six of eight, and has fallen within one-half games of last place.

The Jays have totaled 217 strikeouts (second-most in the AL) and has a .225 batting average wRISP ― this, after leading the majors at .286 last season. They struck out 31 times in the three games against the south-siders. Adding insult to injury, the Jays have scored just one run in the last 24 innings.

Cash will start Drew Smyly (1-2, 2.51 ERA), Chris Archer (1-4, 5.47 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.58 ERA) this weekend.

Smyly is 1-1 with a 4.96 ERA in six career starts against Toronto. He, however, has thrown incredibly well this season, locating all four of his pitches and frequently getting ahead in the count. He is 3-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 13 outings at Tropicana Field.

Archer finally picked up his first win Monday against Baltimore, after allowing no runs in 6-2/3 innings. The ace located his pitches and got ahead in the count. And while he’s known for his fastball/slider combo, he successfully relied upon his changeup ― yet another potent weapon ― in that outing.

Odorizzi has shown to be adept at preventing the big inning and posses the ability to battle when he doesn’t have his best stuff, which he did Tuesday while holding the Orioles to one run in five innings. Now, if he can get ahead of batters and again become the efficient pitcher he was in 2015. This season righties are hitting .329 while lefties are batting .225 against Odorizzi.

Rays and Orioles series starters (last 14 days).

Rays and Blue Jays series starters (last 14 days).

Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 3.33 ERA) allowed a season-high 10 hits and six earned runs in his last outing, an 8-5 loss against Oakland. Then again he pitched seven innings of one-run ball against Tampa Bay on April 5th. The 23 year-old righty relies primarily on a 93 mph sinker, while mixing in an electric 95 mph four-seam fastball and an 80 mph curve. Sanchez went 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA over 8-2/3 innings against Tampa Bay last season. Key matchups: Hank Conger (1-2), Corey Dickerson (1-3, HR, RBI), Brandon Guyer (1-2) Kevin Kiermaier (2-4, 2B), Steve Pearce (1-4, BB)

JA Happ (3-0, 2.42 ERA) allowed three runs over seven innings on 92 pitches his last time out against Oakland. The southpaw is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA in six starts at the Trop, although he allowed just two runs on seven scattered hits over six innings in a 3-5 loss on April 6th. Happ isn’t overpowering, yet he gets by by mixing his 93 mph four-seam fastball with an 85 mph cutter, 92 mph sinker, 79 mph curveball and an 86 mph change. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (2-6, RBI BB), Desmond Jennings (3-9, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (8-21, 2 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (2-3), Logan Morrison (7-14, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (8-22, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-6, 2B, HR, RBI)

Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.37 ERA) has thrown at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts (dating back to 2015). He is 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay, and this is the second time this year he will be matched up against them. In that outing, Stroman allowed three runs on five hits over eight frames. Stroman relies upon a 93 mph sinker, an 86 mph slider, an 83 mph curveball, an 85 mph change, a 90 mph cutter, and a 93 mph four-seam fastball. Key matchups: Curt Casali (2-3), Hank Conger (2-5, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Desmond Jennings (3-8, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (5-9, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (3-5, HR, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr.

Noteworthiness

― Steven Souza Jr. went 6-15 with three homers in the Opening Series against Toronto.

― Little steps… Logan Morrison has hit safely in four consecutive games, raising his average to .107.

― Evan Longoria is 1-11 against the right-handed Sanchez.

― Kevin Pillar is 8-18 during a five-game hitting streak, however, is 0-5 in his career vs. Smyly.

― Jose Bautista is mired in a 4-27 slump for Toronto.

― Josh Donaldson is tied for third in the AL with a .421 average off lefties, sporting a .947 SLG for one of baseball’s best marks.

― Check out the folks from the Process Report, who put together an excellent recap of the Rays/Orioles series.

― Now for the most important part of this series preview, GARY BUSEY IS THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH AT THE TROP FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!

The New What Next: Rays vs. Blue Jays — the Opening Series

April 2, 2016 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

The Corey Dickerson era begins Opening Day. (Photo Credit: MLB.com)

At long last, the six month long baseball-less chasm, that constitutes the offseason and Spring Training, will be bridged Sunday afternoon. Behold the magnificence that is the Opening Series, dear friends. The Tampa Bay Rays will become one of six times to open the 2016 season on April 3, when they welcome their AL East foes, the Toronto Blue Jays, into the Trop for a four-game series.

Rays and Blue Jays offensive numbers (in 2015).

The Rays finished below .500 in each of the last two seasons after making the playoffs in four of the previous six campaigns. Yet the ball-club added some pop to an offense that finished second-to-last in the American League in runs scored, 13^th in batting average (.252) and 14^th in slugging percentage (.406) last season. Taking the field for the first time in a Rays uniform are 1B Logan Morrison, 1B/DH Steve Pearce, OF/DH Corey Dickerson, SS Brad Miller and C Hank Conger.

And thanks to those offseason moves, the PECOTA projection system has high hopes for Tampa Bay, estimating the Rays to win the AL East with a 91-71 record. Their success will be dependent upon the upgraded offense, that is expected to score 713 runs — 69 more than they plated in 2015. They’ll also depend upon the tried and true Rays way formula: pitching and defense. The Nate Silver curated projection system sees the Rays allowing just 619 runs (second best in the AL, and just four runs behind Cleveland), while FRAA (fielding runs above average) pegs the team’s defense to save 57.8 runs above average for the best in baseball.

On the flip side of the coin, Toronto came within two wins of reaching the World Series last fall. The potent Blue Jays offense plated 127 more runs than their closest competitor and led the majors in homers (232) in 2015. That high octane offense will define the team again this season. The question begs, can Chris Archer, Drew Smyly, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore stifle the team that also led the majors in slugging percentage (.457) and on-base percentage (.797) last season? The three-headed beast that is Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion combined for 120 of the team’s homers and 937 RBI in 2015, and the Rays front four will be tasked with silencing those bats.

Of course there are some caveats for the Blue Jays. First, Encarnacion didn’t appear in any official Spring Training games which calls into question his timing and ability to see the ball at the moment. Then there’s the fact that the Rays won the season series against Toronto last season 10-9. Tampa Bay is also 6-4 in its last 10 home games against the Jays.

Rays series starters and key matchups

Rays and Blue Jays series starters (in 2015).

Kevin Cash will send Archer to the mound in Sunday’s season opener. Archer, who went 12-13 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 2015, has held Toronto’s current lineup to a .174 career batting average. Moreover, Donaldson, Bautista and Encarnacion are only 12-for-86 (.139) combined against the Rays ace.

Smyly, who gets the ball Monday, went 5-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 12 starts in 2015. Since joining the Rays, he has gone 8-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 19 starts. Fun fact: The three pitchers with the lowest ERA in the America League since the 2014 trade deadline (min 15GS) are Drew Smyly (2.52), Dallas Keuchel (Smyly’s college roommate, 2.56) and David Price (traded for Smyly, 2.75).

Then there’s Odorizzi. The lanky right-hander went at least seven innings in 15 of his 28 starts last season. Odorizzi posted a 2.79 ERA at the Trop in 2015.

Finally, Moore will round out the front four on Wednesday. The southpaw returned from an extended stint at Durham last season and collected a 2-1 record with a 2.97 ERA in his final six starts.

Key matchups

Marcus Stroman: Stroman missed most of last season after tearing his ACL in Spring Training, yet he was outstanding upon his return including three decent postseason starts. The 24 year-old went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 26 games in 2014. Stroman won his only start at Tampa Bay in September 2014, allowing just two runs on seven scattered hits over six innings. He went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across four starts. What to expect from Stroman: a 93 mph sinker, an 86 mph slider, an 83 mph curveball, an 85 mph change, a 90 mph cutter, and a 93 mph four-seam fastball. Key matchups: Curt Casali (2-3), Hank Conger (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Desmond Jennings (2-4, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (2-5, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (3-5, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (3-5, HR, RBI, BB)

RA Dickey: Dickey told reporters he felt better this Spring than he has in years, and because of it he hopes that he can avoid the slow start which has plagued the knuckleballer in each of the last three seasons. Last April, Dickey went 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA over 31 innings. Boding well for the Rays, they finally figured Dickey out last season, collecting a 3-1 record against the 41 year-old with a 4.40 ERA. When facing Dickey the old adage goes, if it’s high let it fly, if it’s low let it go. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3, 2B, BB), Hank Conger (1-2), Logan Forsythe (6-21, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Brandon Guyer (3-12, 2B, RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (11-43, 4 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB), Brad Miller (2-7, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (6-23, 2 2B, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (2-6, RBI, BB)

Aaron Sanchez: Despite initially being considered for the bullpen, Sanchez was officially named to the rotation after collecting a 1.35 ERA, 19 strikeouts and just three walks over 20 Spring innings. The 23 year-old righty relies primarily on a 93 mph sinker, while mixing in an electric 95 mph four-seam fastball and an 80 mph curve. Sanchez went 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA over 8-2/3 innings against Tampa Bay last season. Key matchups: Brandon Guyer (1-2) Kevin Kiermaier (2-2, 2B), Logan Morrison (1-4, 2B), Steve Pearce (1-4, BB)

JA Happ: Happ will always be intrinsically linked with the Rays after he being struck in the head by a Desmond Jennings comebacker in 2013. The lefty tossed 14-2/3 innings this Spring and allowed five runs on 15 hits and three walks with nine strikeouts. The lefty had an incredible second half of 2015 spinning 63-1/3 innings of 1.85 ERA baseball after coming to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. However, with Toronto, he collected a career 4.13 ERA. Happ isn’t overpowering, yet he gets by by mixing his 93 mph four-seam fastball with an 85 mph cutter, 92 mph sinker, 79 mph curveball and an 86 mph change. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3, BB), Desmond Jennings (3-6, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (7-18, 2 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (2-3), Logan Morrison (7-14, 3 2B, 4 RBI, BB), Steve Pearce (7-19, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Rays 3B Evan Longoria has 141 career hits against the Blue Jays, tied for the most hits he has against any opposing team.

— Kevin Kiermaier batted .315 in 16 games against Toronto in 2015.

— The team filled the need for experienced catching depth at the Triple-A level by acquiring Carlos Corporan from New York for cash considerations.

Corporan has played parts of six seasons in the big leagues with the Brewers, Astros and Rangers. By adding Hank Conger to the big-league roster and releasing Rene Rivera, Tampa Bay had only one catcher with big-league experience, Luke Maile, who made nine starts last September.

— MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be in attendance for the season opener. He is expected to meet with media prior to the game.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Blue Jays ― the Final Series Preview of the Year

October 2, 2015 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

John Jaso hits a single to right field off of pitcher Jose Fernandez during the third inning on October 1, 2015. (Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

The end is nigh. The Tampa Bay Rays have come full circle from the start of the season to now, and they are set to start the final series of the season on Friday when the Toronto Blue Jays come to town.

In my estimation, the Rays are playing for three things: Pride, the desire to end things on a high note, and the ability to end the season with a .500 record. However, to accomplish those things may be easier said than done ― we all saw first hand what Toronto is capable of when the Jays sunk Tampa Bay in a three game sweep last weekend.

Tampa Bay is coming off a three game sweep of the Miami Marlins; their first since July 10-12 when they took three from the Houston Astros. Coming off a pair of losses against the Orioles, the Blue Jays are still in the fight for the best record in the American League with the Royals. That is, don’t expect either team to roll over and allow the other to take advantage.

Kevin Cash will throw Erasmo Ramirez, Chris Archer, and Matt Moore over the next three days. After allowing a two-run homer to David Ortiz in the first inning on September 24th, Ramirez (11-6, 3.65 ERA) held Boston scoreless over the next six innings, earning his 11th win of the year. In 18 starts with at least two runs of support this season, he is 11-1 with a 2.87 ERA. The righty has worked seven innings in three straight starts, and is 11-5 with a 2.99 ERA since moving into rotation full time. Ramirez has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 18 starts. Archer (12-13, 3.26 ERA) experienced his worst outing of the season in his last start against Toronto, allowing nine runs on 10 hits in 3-2/3 innings, including five walks and two home runs. Moore (2-4, 5.84 ERA) gave Tampa Bay his third consecutive quality start en route to his fifth win of the year on Tuesday. Moore is 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA in five starts since his September 5 recall from Triple-A Durham.

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 by the numbers.

Mark Buehrle (14-7, 3.76 ERA) enters his start Friday 8-2/3 innings shy of hitting the 200-inning plateau for the 15th consecutive season. Warren Spahn, Don Sutton and Gaylord Perry are the only ones to have done it. The quick working lefty took a no-decision in his last start, giving up three earned runs across six innings on Sunday. He gave up eight hits and two walks while striking out one. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (4-8), Logan Forsythe (10-25, 4 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Brandon Guyer (7-20, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (4-11, RBI), James Loney (7-27, 3 2B), Evan Longoria (16-50, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB), Mikie Mahtook (2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Daniel Nava (4-13, 2B, HR, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (3-9, HR, RBI, BB)

Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.15 ERA) has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 outings while posting a 2.63 ERA over that stretch. Estrada did not factor into the decision on Monday against Baltimore, surrendering four hits, three earned runs and a walk over 7-1/3 innings. He struck out two. The righty enjoyed his third consecutive quality start, capping off a strong September. Estrada was sharp with his control as well, throwing 58 of 82 pitches for strikes, though he induced just seven whiffs. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-4, 2B, BB), Logan Forsythe (3-8, 2B), Brandon Guyer (1-4, RBI), James Loney (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Grady Sizemore (1-4, BB)

Sunday’s starter is TBA.

Noteworthiness

― The Rays have homered in a season high 11 consecutive games.

― Tampa Bay has played in an MLB most 93 games decided by one or two runs; they are 45-48 overall.

― The Rays and Marlins played the first regular-season interleague game in October in major-league history on Thursday. There have been 617 such meetings in World Series play.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Blue Jays ― A Series Preview

September 25, 2015 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

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 offensive production over the last 14 days.

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!