Toronto Blue Jays series preview: Home for rivalry week

Apr 26, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) is taken out of the game during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3  —  Wednesday, 7:07 ET

Mark Buehrle will close out the series for Toronto looking for his fourth win of the season, but when you see his 6.75 ERA and 1.93 WHIP, it’s surprising that he still isn’t searching for his first.  Buehrle has years of statistics to suggest that he is due for a bounce-back to his averages, however, and there’s no time like Wednesday.

Buehrle has allowed 23 hits and 13 earned runs over his last 10.0 innings pitched while striking out just four batters.  While he isn’t missing any bats, perhaps the shag carpet at the Rogers Centre is just what he needs to force some quick outs.

The Blue Jays will face C.C. Sabathia in game three, and the season has not been kind to this veteran lefty either.  Sitting at 0-4 with a 5.40 ERA, Sabathia is a shell of his once-dominant self.  Two of his past three outings have been quality, however, so he may be rebounding to the form that should see him close the season with an ERA closer to 4.00.  Sabathia, much like Whitley and Pineda, will top out in the low-90’s with a slider and changeup to compliment his fastball.

Next: Keep an eye on Edwin Encarnacion