The Tampa Bay Rays (54-48) will host the Toronto Blue Jays (57-45) on Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up a short two game series. Tuesday's head-to-head game was not complete at the time of this preview. The Rays have won five of the first eight head-to-head meetings this season.
The Toronto Blue Jays went into Tuesday leading the AL Wild Card race. Despite sitting second in the AL East, Toronto is one game under .500 at home. Toronto was a buyer at the trade deadline acquiring Whit Merrifield (6 HR, 42 RBI, 15 SB) from Kansas City Royals and Mitch White (1-2, 3.70 ERA) from the Dodgers. White could possibly slide into the starting rotation soon and replace Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start on Wednesday. Kikuchi loves to pitch against the Rays. In three career starts against them, with two coming in 2021 and one this season, he is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA lifetime against Tampa Bay.
Our star shut 'em down ??
For the second time, Jordan Romano is @MLB's AL Reliever of the Month! pic.twitter.com/lZb5HTI1GC
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 2, 2022
The Blue Jays are third in MLB averaging 5.0 runs per game on the road this season. Vladimir Guerro Jr and George Springer are both tied for the club lead with eight road home runs. Overall, Guerrero Jr. leads the team with 21 home runs and 63 RBI, followed by Matt Chapman with 20 home runs and 57 RBI.