The Toronto Blue Jays look to settle the score Monday night when they host the Tampa Bay Rays for the opener of a three-game series at Rogers Centre.
The Rays swept the Blue Jays in a three-game set from May 4-6 in St. Petersburg, Florida, holding Toronto to just four runs across the entire series.
Toronto continued to spin its wheels Sunday, dropping a 6-1 decision to the Los Angeles Angels after taking the first two games of that three-game series. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay surged into first place in the American League East with a 4-1 road win over the Boston Red Sox.
“I enjoy the sound of that,” Rays closer Bryan Baker said after notching 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 last 15 games, while the Blue Jays have won eight of their last 15. Tampa Bay overtook the New York Yankees atop the AL East on Sunday and now own the second-best record in the majors, trailing only 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 slated to start right-hander Drew Rasmussen (2-1, 2.95 ERA) on Monday. In 12 career appearances (10 starts) against Toronto, Rasmussen is 2-4 with a 2.84 ERA. He took a no-decision on May 5 against the Blue Jays after allowing three runs over six innings, a game the Rays eventually won 4-3.
Opposing him will be Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.09 ERA). Gausman also received a no-decision on May 5, giving up two runs in six innings against Rasmussen and the Rays. For his career, Gausman is 8-9 with a 4.02 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) versus Tampa Bay.
Toronto’s offense has often struggled, but Kazuma Okamoto remains a bright spot. He leads the team with 26 RBIs after driving in a first-inning run Sunday with a double. Okamoto is on a nine-game hitting streak, batting .343 (12-for-35) with two doubles, five home runs and 11 RBIs. His 10 homers also lead the club.
“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, continues to struggle in May, hitting just .152 (5-for-33) with no home runs and two RBIs this month.
The Blue Jays hope the return of Addison Barger can provide an offensive spark. He returned Saturday from a sprained ankle and threw out a runner at home with a laser from right field. However, he was scratched from Sunday’s lineup with a sore elbow and is scheduled for an MRI.
After Eric Lauer struggled Sunday — allowing six runs in five innings as Toronto’s third pitcher — reports surfaced that Yariel Rodriguez will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. There was no word on which pitcher he will replace on the roster.
