The Toronto Blue Jays have a chance for payback Monday night when they clash with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game series.
The Rays held the Blue Jays to four runs in sweeping a three-game series May 4-6 at St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Blue Jays continued to spin their wheels with a 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday after they had won the first two games of a three-game series.
Meanwhile, the Rays took over first in the American League East on Sunday with a 4-1 road victory over the Boston Red Sox.
“I enjoy the sound of that,” Rays closer Bryan Baker said after earning his 10th save. “We’re not going to think too much about it. We’re going to keep pressing. But I think if you would have told me that going into the year, I would take it immediately.”
The Rays have won 13 of their past 15 games while the Blue Jays have won eight of their past 15.
Tampa Bay overtook the New York Yankees in the AL East on Sunday and have the second-best record in the majors behind the Atlanta Braves.
“I realize that it’s May as well, but you always like to be in first place,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Good for the guys, man. They’ve played well.”
The Rays are scheduled to start right-hander Drew Rasmussen (2-1, 2.95 ERA) on Monday. In 12 outings (10 starts) against Toronto, he is 2-4 with a 2.84 ERA. He did not factor in the decision on May 5 against the Blue Jays after giving up three runs in six innings. The Rays won 4-3.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.09) is slated to start for the Blue Jays. He was not involved in the decision when he opposed Rasmussen on May 5, allowing two runs in six innings. Gausman is 8-9 with a 4.02 ERA in 27 career games (25 starts) against the Rays.
Toronto’s offense has sputtered often with Kazuma Okamoto an exception. He leads the team with 26 RBIs after driving in a first-inning run Sunday with a double. He is on a nine-game hit streak, batting .343 (12-for-35) with two doubles, five home runs and 11 RBIs. His 10 homers also lead the team.
“When you look back at the last three weeks, he’s been arguably our best hitter,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s coming up with some timely hits, too. (Sunday) was another example in the first, two outs and two strikes. He’s getting it done.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., however, is struggling with a .152 batting average (5-for-33), no home runs and two RBIs in May.
The Blue Jays hope the return of Addison Barger might provide an offensive boost. He returned Saturday from a sprained ankle and threw out a runner at home with a laser throw from right. However, he was scratched Sunday with a sore elbow and will have an MRI.
After Eric Lauer struggled Sunday — six runs allowed in five innings as Toronto’s third pitcher — there were reports that Yariel Rodriguez will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. There were no reports about the pitcher he will replace.
–Field Level Media
