This Saturday the (84-66) Toronto Blue Jays and the (83-67) Tampa Bay Rays will play game three of this four-game series. The first pitch will be thrown out at 6:10 PM EST inside Tropicana Field. The last time these two teams matched up, the Blue Jays ended up winning their five-game series. The Rays got the first win of this series, though.
The Toronto Blue Jays are coming into this one after splitting a two-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays looked incredible at the plate in game one, as they scored 18 runs. They will need their bats to stay hot in this one if they want to take down the Rays on the road.
The Tampa Bay Rays are entering this one after getting swept by the Houston Astros in their previous series. They only scored two combined runs in three games, as they just couldn't get their bats going. They will have to heat up at the plate if they want to defend T ropicana Field in this one.
This game was written/published before last night's results.
The Toronto Blue Jays currently hold the first AL Wild Card spot, but they haven't been untouchable over the past few weeks. They are 5-5 in their last 10 and they still trail the New York Yankees by 7.5 games in the AL East standings.
At the plate, the Blue Jays are scoring 4.80 runs per game and they are hitting .262 as a team. This is the fifth most runs scored per game and the highest overall team batting average. They have been consistently reaching base all season and they have also been clutch with men in scoring position. Toronto has multiple players that can change this game with one swing of the bat, as well. They are averaging 1.23 home runs per game, which is the 10th most in the league. I would recommend watching Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as he leads the team with 30 home runs hit this season. I would also expect the Blue Jays to stay conservative once they have reached base safely. They have only taken 63 bases this season, which is the 21st most in the MLB. They have allowed their bats to move base runners into scoring position.
According to MLB.com, the Blue Jays will be starting Alek Manoah on the mound. He is currently 14-7 with a 2.40 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. In his last start, he pitched for 6.0 innings and he gave up one earned run to the Orioles. He has also been a road warrior this season, as he is 8-3 with a 2.23 ERA outside of his home ballpark. The Blue Jay's bullpen is also allowing the 15th most runs per game. As a team, Toronto is allowing 4.32 runs per game, which is the 15th most, as well.