Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays vs Toronto Blue Jays

After a road trip that started off well and ended in disappointment, the Tampa Bay Rays returned home with a tough challenge as the Houston Astros came to town. However, after dropping the first game, the Rays have won two in a row and are currently 23-26. Entering play on Thursday, the Rays are 6.5 games behind the Yankees for the division and 3.5 games back in the Wild Card chase with several teams ahead of them. One of those teams, the Toronto Blue Jays, will take on the Rays in a three game series set to commence on Friday.

The Blue Jays enter play on Thursday (they have a 1:05 game against the Padres) with a record of 24-24 and sit 5 games back of the Yankees and 2 games back in the Wild Card. Prior to winning their past two games against San Diego, the Blue Jays had lost series back-to-back against the Tigers and Rays.

Not much has changed for Toronto since the last time they played the Rays a week ago. They are still led by 26-year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr, who is hitting .287/.389/.433 with 6 HR, registering a 136 wRC+ and 1.1 fWAR over 48 games thus far. Alejando Kirk is tied for the team lead in fWAR despite a 93 wRC+ and backup catcher Tyler Heineman has accrued 1.0 fWAR in just 18 games. George Springer has been the top offensive full-timer on the roster as has a 139 wRC+ over 173 plate appearances. Anthony Santander meanwhile continues to be a disappointment, as he is hitting .188/.266/.327 but with 6 HR (68 wRC+ | -0.6 fWAR).

On the mound, Chris Bassitt has been fantastic, compiling a 2.83 ERA | 2.99 FIP with a 25.0 K% & 4.5 BB% over 57 1⁄3 IP. Kevin Gausman has also been solid for Toronto; the Rays will face Bassitt but miss out on Gausman. In the bullpen, Brendon Little has been fantastic and is among the top relief options in baseball currently sporting a 1.61 ERA | 2.09 FIP with a 37.0 K% over 22 1⁄3 IP. Jeff Hoffman, another marquee free agent signing, has struggled but still retains the closer role for Toronto.

Frivolities

• The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and Blue Jays:

1. Fred McGriff
2. Jose Bautista
3. Kevin Kiermaier
4. David Price
5. Jose Canseco

• The Rays best player offensively against the Blue Jays all-time (min. 25 PA):
  Felix Escalona: .520/.539/.760 with 0 HR over 27 PA
• The Rays most previous transacation with the Blue Jays:
  — 1/23/25: Claimed Brandon Eiser off of waivers from the Blue Jays
• The Rays first transaction with the Brewers
  — 7/31/00: Traded LHP Mark Guthrie & RHP Steve Trachsel to the Blue Jays for 2B Brent Abernathy

Probable pitchers are projected by FanGraphs

GAME ONE

Friday, May 23rd
7:05 PM EDT

RHP Drew Rasmussen vs LHP Eric Lauer

GAME TWO

Saturday, May 24th
7:05 PM EDT

RHP Shane Baz vs RHP Jose Berrios

GAME THREE

Sunday, May 25th
1:40 PM EDT

RHP Ryan Pepiot vs RHP Chris Bassitt