The Rays look to hit the reset button with a series against the Blue Jays starting tonight, in Toronto. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After losing seven of their last nine games at Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays look to hit the reset button on the road. They will play the for the first of four games at the Rogers Centre tonight.

Jake Odorizzi (6-5, 4.38 ERA, 5.65 FIP) will get the start for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Nick Tepesch (0-1, 10.38 ERA, 10.99 FIP).

Odorizzi struggled with his pitch count early in his last start on Wednesday, throwing 55 pitches over the first two frames. He was struck on his heel by an Eduardo Nunez comebacker on his 89th pitch of the night. Odorizzi was helped off the field without putting any weight on his right leg, but thankfully the X-Rays on his right foot came back negative. The right-hander tested his foot in a bullpen session, and the Rays have him a green light to start Monday night in Toronto.

Tepesch allowed five runs on eight hits over 4-1/3 innings during his last start against New York. He has a temporary hold on a rotation spot until Joe Biagini is properly stretched out at Triple-A Buffalo. This season he has relied primarily on a 90 mph four-seam fastball, and an 86 mph slider. He’s also mixed in a 79 mph knuckle curveball, and a 90 mph sinker. Tepesch is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA over two career starts (totaling 14-1/3 innings) against Tampa Bay. Key Matchup: 2-7, HR, 2 RBI

You can read more about the series in our preview.

Rays 8/14/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson LF
Duda 1B
Longoria 3B
Morrison DH
Souza Jr RF
Miller 2B
Ramos C
Bourjos CF
Robertson SS
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Mallex Smith (4-for-his-last-24) will get a night off in centerfield, as will Adeiny Hechavarria (3-for-his-last-27) at shortstop.

— Chase Whitley has been recalled from Durham to provide length in the bullpen, which makes sense since Jake Odorizzi has not gone beyond five innings in four of his last five starts, and is coming off a foot injury. Jose Alvarado was optioned back to Triple-A Durham after yesterday’s ball game.

— Kevin Kiermaier went 1-for-5 yesterday in a rehab start with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, including a run-scoring triple. Matt Andriese went three-plus innings, and allowed two runs on four hits.

— The Rays are the MLB DRS leaders once again:

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