Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against the Toronto Blue Jays

The Tampa Bay Rays enter day two of their series against the Toronto Blue Jays. On Thursday the Blue Jays defeated the Rays 5-2. Kendrys Morales last night sealed the deal for Toronto with his grand slam during the third inning. This was Toronto’s first win of the season after their tough losses in the season openers against Baltimore.

This also could be revenge from last season. Tampa Bay won the series against Toronto last season. The Rays are 101-65 against them overall, and were the only American League East Team with a winning record over the Blue Jays.

Tonight the two teams will square off again for the second game in the four game series at Tropicana field. They will see a lot of each other at the beginning of this season. Tampa Bay and Toronto will see each other 10 times in the first 33 games of the season.

The best part of your morning?

Watching this grand slam all over again. #LetsRise https://t.co/6aEYZlhx5W

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 7, 2017

For the home team Matt Andriese, a right hand pitcher looks to start on the mound for the Rays. Andriese is the No.5 starter who moved back and forth on starting and relieving roles the previous season. In 2016 his ERA was 4.18 at home. In his seven career appearances against Toronto he 0-1 with an ERA of 4.05.

He opened last season with a 6-0 record as a starter but finished 8-8 with a 4.37 ERA after work in both roles later in the year.

For Toronto, Francisco Liriano looks to start for the Blue Jays again. Liriano, the left handed pitcher who is entering the last year of his contract had a stellar spring training season after Toronto got him from the Pirates right at the trade deadline last season. Last year he went 2-2 with an ERA of 2.92 in 10 games with the Blue Jays.

Left handed pitchers have given the Rays trouble so far this season. The Yankees’ CC Sabathia shut out the Rays for five innings. Right fielder Steven Souza has hit well for the Rays so far this season, had two infield hits against the Yankees, and a total of three hits. The Rays fell 5-0 to the Yankees on Tuesday.

After a three-hit performance last night, @SouzaJr has reached base in seven of his last 10 plate appearances. pic.twitter.com/1ghU4PVg2R

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 7, 2017

The battle of the Rays and Jays will continue tonight with the first pitch being at 7:10 PM. The game will be aired on Fox Sports Sun.