3:07 pm
September 15

Rays @ Blue Jays

Who will WIN this matchup?

Tampa Bay Rays (79-63)

@ Toronto Blue Jays (81-62)

 

Starting Pitchers:

McClanahan (TB): 11-5; 2.20 ERA

Gausman (TOR) 12-9; 3.31 ERA

 

Current odds:

Tampa Bay Rays: (+120)

Toronto Blue Jays: (-143)

 

• The starting line-up for the Rays is as follows:

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• The starting line-up for the Blue Jays is as follows:

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• The Tampa Bay Rays expect to get a boost Thursday afternoon when left-hander Shane McClanahan returns for the finale of their five-game series with the host Toronto Blue Jays.

• The Blue Jays (81-62) clinched the series with a 5-1 victory Wednesday night. They have won three of the first four games of the set, tied the season series with Tampa Bay at 7-7, and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Rays (79-63) in the American League wild-card standings. The Seattle Mariners (80-62) are a-half game behind the Blue Jays in the wild-card race.

• McClanahan (shoulder impingement) is an important part of the Rays being in contention for a postseason spot. He is expected to be reinstated from the injured list in time to pitch for the Rays for the first time since Aug. 24 — a needed boost for a team that has lost five of its last six. McClanahan (11-5, 2.20 ERA) has an 0.86 WHIP and 182 strikeouts in 147 1/3 innings over 24 starts this season. Rays manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan will “certainly” have a limited workload in his first start back. McClanahan Is 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA in four career starts against the Blue Jays.

• He will be facing Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-9, 3.31 ERA). Gausman is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP in three starts against Tampa Bay this season. In 20 career games (18 starts) against the Rays, he is 8-7 with a 3.61 ERA.

• The Blue Jays got off to a fast start Wednesday when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 28th homer of the season (and the 100th of his career) in the first inning. It was his first home run since Aug. 30. He also grounded into a double play for the 24th time this season. Guerrero also had an RBI on a fielder’s choice Wednesday.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Toronto Blue Jays
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