David DeJesus celebrates with third base coach Charlie Montoyo after hitting a one-run triple to score Logan Forsythe during the second inning of a game on July 12, 2015. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
David DeJesus celebrates with third base coach Charlie Montoyo after hitting a one-run triple to score Logan Forsythe during the second inning of a game on July 12, 2015. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

After being hampered by the injury bug in the first half — in which the team both over and underperformed for stretches of the season — the Tampa Bay Rays will resume play on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays with a winning 46-45 record and the confidence they can remain in contention for a postseason berth.

The good guys will look to build on the three consecutive wins that preceded the All-Star Break when they visit the Rogers Centre for a three-game set against a scuffling Toronto team. The Rays allowed just four runs during their sweep of Houston last weekend, allowing them to move into second place in the American League East — 3-½ games behind the New York Yankees. All this after losing 15 of their previous 18 contests.

We feel that through all the injuries, through all the ups and downs, we’ve put ourselves with the opportunity to make a run at it in the second half, David DeJesus told the Tampa Bay Times.

In order for Tampa Bay to remain relevant from this point forward, the offense — which currently stands 13th in the AL in runs — must be more consistent. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, have scored 77 more runs than any team in the majors. However, Toronto has dropped its last four series while going 4-10.

Kevin Cash will throw Jake Odorizzi, Erasmo Ramirez, and Chris Archer over the course of the next three days. Odorizzi (5-5, 2.30 ERA) was solid in his first start since missing a little over a month with an oblique injury, limiting the Astros to two hits in 5-2/3 scoreless innings on Saturday. The righty has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 13 outings in 2015, holding opponents to a .210 average. Odorizzi is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four career starts versus the Blue Jays, and has controlled Jose Bautista (0-for-9), Jose Reyes (1-for-10) and Edwin Encarnacion (1-for-8). Ramirez allowed just one run on four hits, while walking one and fanning five over six innings on Friday night. The smiley one has culled an impressive 95.2% LOB over his last 25-2/3 innings of work, something no other starter in the rotation can say. Archer wasn’t so great in his last start, surrendering nine runs and 12 hits while striking out six and walking two over six innings. The All-Star righty will look to bounce back against a Blue Jays team he has fared well against in the past.

Despite a less than operable outcome in the last meeting between the two teams (6/22-6/25), Tampa Bay is 7-3 against Toronto this season with nine games remaining in the season series. What’s more, the Rays are 5-1 in games decided by two runs or less against the Jays. The road warriors are 22-18 on the road this year — the fifth straight season for the Rays playing above .500 on the road (the longest active streak in the majors). They are 240-208 on the road since 2010.

Rays and Blue Jays series starters in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays series starters in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production in the first half of the 2015 season.
Rays and Blue Jays by the numbers.
Rays and Blue Jays by the numbers.

Drew Hutchison: Hutchinson (8-2, 5.33) has struggled in his last two starts, yielding 11 runs (nine earned) over 9-2/3 innings after going 5-0 in his previous seven outings. The 24 year-old righty has been much better at home (6-1, 2.12 ERA) than on the road (2-1, 8.81), although he is 3-2 lifetime versus the Rays with a plus five ERA. Key matchups: Joey Butler (2-3), David DeJesus (2-5, HR, 2 RBI), Jake Elmore (1-2, 2B, BB), Logan Forsythe (1-4, BB), Brandon Guyer (1-3), John Jaso (2-3, 2B, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (4-7, 2 2B, RBI, BB), James Loney (4-8, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB)

RA Dickey: Per Rotowire, Dickey (3-10, 4.87) pitched well Thursday, conceding two earned runs across seven innings while striking out six, but was tagged with the loss against the White Sox. The Rays won all three games they played the Jays with Dickey on the mound in 2015, tagging the knuckle baller for 12 runs in 17-2/3 innings. Key matchups: Joey Butler (1-3, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (5-17, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Brandon Guyer (2-7, 2 2B, RBI, BB), John Jaso (1-4, 2B, RBI), Evan Longoria (10-37, 4 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB), Grady Sizemore (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB)

Marco Estrada: Per Rotowire, Estrada (6-5, 3.52 ERA) pitched well in a loss to the Royals on Friday, allowing two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out two over 6-2/3 innings. Estrada has increased his reliance upon his change-up to great effect: “He’s throwing the change more often than ever before, and it’s still getting as many whiffs as ever (23.1% whiff rate),” wrote Eno Saris (FanGraphs). “…Estrada has the fourth-best change-up among starters by whiff rate. But if you look at his overall line, you can see he’s doing the same thing as ever — showing a great whiff rate, a decent walk rate, a low BABIP… and a terrible home run rate.” Estrada has pitched well against Tampa Bay this season, allowing no runs in 13 innings (one start). Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (2-5, 2B), Brandon Guyer (1-4, RBI), John Jaso (1-3), James Loney (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Grady Sizemore (1-1, BB)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are looking toward the August return of Desmond Jennings and Drew Smyly to help make a difference in the second half, rather than any huge trade at the July 31 deadline. Although the chance to bolster the offense — to better supplement their strong pitching and defense — may warrant attention.

Per Marc Topkin,

Even then, it would be a small, under-the-radar move, adding a part-time player they can use in a specialized role. But if they wanted to dream big, and at least consider trading for a proven big bat, they would find some options, perhaps none more appealing than San Diego’s Justin Upton, who could add right-handed power and would have less than $7 million left on the last year of his contract.

— Joey Butler batted .338 through June 23 but has recorded only four hits in 41 at-bats since then.

— The Rays placed Asdrubal Cabrera, who has committed only two errors in 82 contests, on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.

— 2B Devon Travis is 9-20 over his last five games and is hitting .370 versus the Rays this season.

— Slugger Jose Bautista, who missed the All-Star Game with a sore shoulder, is expected back for the Blue Jays while teammate Jose Reyes is 14-38 during an eight-game hitting streak.

Leave a comment