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The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays — yet ANOTHER series preview

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The Tampa Bay Rays rookie dress-up theme this season: Team USA wrestling. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays rookie dress-up theme this season: Team USA wrestling. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided a four-game sweep in the Bronx over the weekend with a 4-2 victory on Sunday against the Yankees. Next stop Toronto, where they are set to start a three-game series against the Blue Jays.

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Before Tampa Bay lost six of its last eight, the team took two of three from the Blue Jays — nine of 16 overall (including a series win at home September 2nd – 4th). The Rays need just one victory to win the season series for the eighth time in nine years.

The Blue Jays need to turn things around, and quickly, if they are going to avoid missing the playoffs. Toronto has lost seven of  nine, and suffice it to say this will be a critical three-game set before the ball club to the great white north heads out west for a seven game road trip.

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Kevin Cash will lean on Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.86), Drew Smyly (6-11, 5.05 ERA), and Alex Cobb (0-0, 4.09 ERA) the next three days. John Gibbons will counter with Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.27 ERA), RA Dickey (9-14, 4.60 ERA), and Marcus Stroman (9-7, 4.55 ERA). Note: pitching matchups are subject to change; keep checking back for any updates.

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Rays Series Starters

Odorizzi allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over four innings on Tuesday. Odorizzi was okay until the fourth inning when he walked two, hit a batter, and gave up a pair of singles before allowing a grand slam to Manny Machado. Still, Odorizzi has been Tampa Bay’s most consistent pitcher of late, going nine straight starts while giving up three earned runs or fewer entering Tuesday’s debacle.

Smyly posted just 3-2/3 innings in a start against the Orioles on Wednesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. He fanned just two. The lefty has disappointed expectations this season, sporting a 5.05 ERA over 28 starts, although he’s done much better of late. And while his 1.28 WHIP suggests some back luck, the 30 home runs allowed (good enough for fifth most in the big leagues) certainly haven’t done Smyly any favors.

Cobb allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits over six innings on Thursday, striking out one without a walk. The righty regained his form by coaxing 13 ground balls to three fly balls. Unfortunately two of those fly balls left the yard. Be that as it may, Cobb has pitched well in two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, issuing just one walk over 11 innings.

Blue Jays Series Starters

Liriano, after being demoted to the bullpen following his August 26th turn on the mound, will start Monday. He will take the spot of RA Dickey in the Blue Jays’ rotation. The Rays roughed up Liriano on September 2nd, tagging him for three runs (two earned) on three hits. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (1-2, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (2-4, 2B), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 3B, RBI), Evan Longoria (5-16, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Alexi Ramirez (14-33, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 2 BB), Bobby Wilson (1-2, BB)

Dickey was slated to start Monday, but Gibbons decided to replace him in the rotation with Liriano for the time being. Dickey owns an unimpressive 6.23 ERA since the All-Star Break, including a 4.1 IP/4 R/6 H/3 BB start against Tampa Bay on August 8th. Key matchups: Curt Casali (1-4), Logan Forsythe (8-26, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (14-50, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB), Mikie Mahtook (1-1, 2B, RBI, BB), Brad Miller (4-12, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Alexi Ramirez (5-15, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-12, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB)

Stroman allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings on Wednesday, striking out eight and walking one. Toronto scored under three runs for the fourth time in Stroman’s last seven starts, leaving the righty with little to show for his efforts. He looked good (coaxing 15 whiffs) however, a two-run third inning — including a solo home — was enough to propel the Yankees to a victory. The Rays beat up on Stroman over six innings of work on September 2nd, tagging the righty for four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks, including a homer. Curt Casali (2-6, RBI), Corey Dickerson (3-12, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (3-10, BB), Nick Franklin (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (8-19, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Logan Morrison was diagnosed with a left wrist strain after fouling off a pitch in Sunday’s game against the Yankees. The team is expected to re-evaluate Morrison and provide an update on his outlook, however, Morrison doesn’t anticipate a return to the lineup this season, saying,

(I) Felt it pop on that one swing. More than likely, I’m probably done for the year.

Morrison returned from a strained right forearm on August 15.

— The Rays have recalled LHP Dana Eveland from Triple-A Durham, while designating RHP Tyler Sturdevant for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster. Though he didn’t fare well with the big league club this season, Eveland posted a 0.30 ERA with the Bulls.

— So you’re saying there’s still a chance… Any combination of a Tampa Bay loss or a Boston win the rest of the season will officially eliminate Rays from AL East contention.

— Troy Tulowitzki is 10-23 in his last six games after knocking in four runs on Sunday.

The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays — a series preview

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Alex Cobb gets warmed up before a rehab start in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Monday, July 11, 2016. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

Alex Cobb gets warmed up before a rehab start in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Monday, July 11, 2016. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays return home, after having dropped four of their last six games, where they’ll face the AL East leading Toronto Blue Jays, who’s won five of their last six. Tampa Bay actually has a 7-6 edge in the season series, although Toronto took two of three in the most recent series (August 8-10).

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Despite the sloppy-play induced slump, the Rays played just a game under .500 throughout August. Since the All-Star Break, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has the lowest ERA in the American League. However, the pitching staff also has posted a combined 4.23 ERA/4.41 ERA over the last 14 days, due in part to an overworked bullpen that’s had to cover a lot of ground over that stretch.

The big story surrounding the upcoming series is the return of Alex Cobb, who will make his first big-league start in almost two years following Tommy John surgery. Expectations have to be lowered for his return, although with Tampa Bay out of contention, there is little to no pressure on Cobb to dominant in his return…although that would be pretty great to see.

Cobb had an ERA under 3.00 in 2013 and 2014, including a 10-9 mark with a 2.87 ERA in 2014 after going 11-3 with a 2.76 in 2013.

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Kevin Cash will throw the above mentioned C0bb (0-3, 6.65 ERA), Blake Snell (4-7, 3.56 ERA), and Chris Archer (8-17, 4.10 ERA) over the next three days. John Gibbons will counter with Marcus Stroman (9-5, 4.58 ERA) and RA Dickey (9-13, 4.43 ERA), with Saturday’s starter TBA.

Note: There may be a shuffling of the rotation, contrary to what you see above. We’ll keep you abreast of any changes/updates.

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Rays Series Starters

Cobb struggled in eight rehab starts, going 0-3 with a 6.65 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. Rays manager Kevin Cash remains encouraged, however. As I wrote above, tempered expectations are the key with Alex.

Snell was pulled in the fourth inning of his start Saturday against the Astros, after he was struck on the left leg by a comebacker. In that outing, the southpaw allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and no walks while striking out three. Though he sustained some bruising and soreness, Snell noticed improvement with his condition and doesn’t anticipate a stint on the DL (you know, hence the start).

Archer allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over seven innings on Sunday, striking out 10 Astros along the way. The righty has surrendered three or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, allowing him to lower his ERA some 32 points, from 4.42 to 4.10. He also surpassed the 200 strikeout mark once again, and has a fair chance of punching out at least 250 in back-to-back seasons.

Blue Jays Series Starters

Stroman will take Francisco Liriano’s scheduled start Friday night. The 25 year-old righty looks for a better result than his previous outing in which he surrendered five runs over six innings, but took a no-decision in the Blue Jays’ 8-7 win. In three starts against Tampa Bay Stroman is 2-1 with a 4.57 ERA this season, including an abominable 5.2 IP/7 R/13 H/2 BB outing back on May 13. Key matchups: Curt Casali (2-6, RBI), Corey Dickerson (3-9, 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (4-14, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (8-16, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB)

Dickey luckily came away with a no-decision on Sunday after he allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over six innings while striking out five. Josh Donaldson’s throwing error led to two unearned runs and helped salvage what otherwise was a rough outing for the knuckleballer. Dickey’s managed an excellent 0.31 HR/9 in August after giving up just one homer in 29 innings over five starts leading to a solid 3.41 ERA, although there’s reason to believe he’ll regress back to his 1.52 HR/9 season norm. The Rays have hammered Dickey, tagging the righty with 12 runs (11 earned) on 20 hits, including four homers, over 15-1/3 innings this season Key matchups: Curt Casali (1-4), Logan Forsythe (8-26, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (14-50, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB), Brad Miller 4-12, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (9-28, 2 2B, HR, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-12, HR, RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

— ICYMI, the Rays demoted Tim Beckham to Triple-A Durham as a punitive move after he committed yet another running blunder on Wednesday.

— ICYMI Part Deux, Tampa Bay promoted Curt Casali, Ryan Garton, and Eddie Gamboa on Thursday.

The New What Next: Rays vs Blue Jays — a series preview

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Jake Odorizzi gets the start in Monday's series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Jake Odorizzi gets the start in Monday’s series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays may be last in the American League East, and second-to-last in the AL, but they have won six of of their last 10 games against the Blue Jays this season, including a three-game sweep in mid-May. They’ll take that success into Toronto where they’ll take on the second best team in the AL East, starting Monday.

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Tampa Bay lost 6-3 Sunday in the series finale against the Minnesota Twins, completing a 6-4 homestand that included a three-game sweep of the Evil Empire.

In spite of their 45-65 overall record (50-60 Pythagorean Expectation, 55-55 BaseRuns), they are 11-11 since the All -Star break, and have been pitching well — allowing three runs or fewer in 11 of their past 13 games.

The Blue Jays are returning from a 4-3 road trip against the Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals without much, if any, offensive production. Toronto was outscored 19-17 over the seven games and batted .138 with runners in scoring position.

They haven’t scored more than four runs in a game since July 30 when they plated nine against the Baltimore Orioles, who have one-game lead over the Blue Jays (63-49) in the AL East.

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Kevin Cash will throw Jake Odorizzi (6-5, 3.70 ERA), Drew Smyly (3-11, 5.14 ERA), and Blake Snell (3-4, 2.95 ERA) over the next three days. John Gibbons will counter with RA Dickey (8-12, 4.49 ERA), Marco Estrada (7-4, 2.92 ERA), and JA Happ (15-3, 3.09 ERA).

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Rays Series Starters

Odorizzi posted a six inning shutout against the Royals on Wednesday, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six. That makes three consecutive scoreless outings for the righty, and he’s gone at least six frames each time.

Smyly pitched seven quality innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 10. After a rough first half of the season, the southpaw appears to have turned a corner. He’s now collected three straight quality starts for the first time since April, and his 5.14 ERA — although still bloated — is down to its lowest mark since June 20.

Snell turned in another solid outing on Friday, striking out seven while giving up just one earned run on four hits and two walks over 5-1/3 innings. The southpaw threw 97 pitches by the sixth, leading to his early exit, however, Snell was still impressive — inducing 12 swinging strikes and putting together a fifth straight start with no more than two earned runs allowed. He also didn’t allow a homer for the fourth time in his last five turns, giving up just two over 55 innings this season.

Blue Jays Series Starters

Dickey gave up just one run on six hits over seven innings in a win on Tuesday against the Astros. The knuckleballer struck out five. Dickey snapped a three-game losing skid with his outing, his first quality start since July 10 against the Royals. Dickey had full control over his repertoire and didn’t walk a batter. Free passes were a huge problem over his losing streak, as he walked nine batters and hit three more in just 14-2/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay this season, and 8-9 with a 4.33 ERA against the Rays overall. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (2-6, 2 2B, 2 BB), Logan Forsythe (6-23, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (14-49, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (3-11, HR, 2 RBI, BB)

Estrada held the Astros to four hits and a single run over seven strong innings on Wednesday. He struck out seven. Even though he’s been effective overall, July was his worst month of the season (4.24 ERA), and he hadn’t allowed fewer than two runs in an outing since May 30. Estrada is fifth among all big league starters in WHIP at 0.99, outperforming Chris Sale, Jake Arrieta and Madison Bumgarner. The fastball/curveball/changeup/cutter throwing righty is 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA over three starts (and 31-1/3 innings) against the Rays. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (3-3, RBI), Logan Forsythe (3-8, 2B)

Happ fanned six over six innings Thursday in Houston, surrendering just one run on four hits and a walk en route to a 4-1 win. Happ’s become unbeatable in his age 33 season — Toronto hasn’t lost one of his starts since June 6, earning a win in nine of his 10 outings over that span. He’s been really good of late, allowing one run or fewer in five of his last six starts. Be that as it may, Happ is 0-1 with a 7.98 ERA in three starts against the Rays this season, and 2-3 with a 5.37 ERA overall against Tampa Bay. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (4-10, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (5-19, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Evan Longoria (10-26, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Brad Miller (2-3), Steven Souza Jr. (5-11, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

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

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(Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

(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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

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 offensive production (last 14 days).

Rays and Blue Jays (by the numbers).

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!!!!