Toronto Blue Jays set for divisional clash with Rays

Jun 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) celebrates scoring a run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning with right fielder Jose Bautista (19) at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays gave their fans one of the season’s most entertaining series at home agains the Baltimore Orioles, but the wow-factor did not lend itself to success.  Toronto dropped two of three, culminating in Brett Cecil blowing a massive comeback lead along with his shot at closing ball games.

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In an AL East division that has suddenly begun to rise in unison, this leaves the Toronto Blue Jays three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays, who they’ll face for a three game set at Tropicana Field to kick off the week.  Toronto now trails the New York Yankees by 2.0 games and has moved into a tie with Baltimore.

Phil Coke, Ryan Tepera and Scott Copeland were all optioned to AAA Buffalo following Sunday’s loss, so this Blue Jays rotation and bullpen will have a new look, for better or for worse.  Steve Delabar, Roberto Osuna or even Bo Schultz could get a look in the ninth inning should a save situation arise.

Tampa Bay will be sending Matt Andriese, Chris Archer and Nate Karns to the mound to face the trio of Drew Hutchison, R.A. Dickey and Marco Estrada.  This will not only be a matchup of surging teams, but of differing styles as the Blue Jays and Rays have taken entirely different paths to this point in the season.

Next: First stop: A look at the Tampa Bay Rays

Jun 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) celebrates with Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Joey Butler (9) after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Across the Diamond:  Tampa Bay Rays

Take everything you know about the Toronto Blue Jays and reverse it.  The Rays have scored well over 100 runs fewer than Toronto, ranking them 25th in the league.  Their pitching has kept them afloat, however, with their 3.31 team ERA good for third in the Major Leagues.  Tampa Bay’s pitching staff also boasts the league’s lowest opponent’s batting average at .236.

In the battle of an unstoppable force versus an immovable object, Toronto will need their pitching to hold the line against a fairly tame lineup.  The athletically-gifted Steven Souza has added some much-needed pop to the Rays lineup by supplying 14 home runs, but his .225 average has balanced that out.  Both Evan Longoria and Logan Forsythe have added seven long balls apiece while hovering around the .275 mark.

One surprising bat uncovered by Tampa Bay this season has been DH/OF Joey Butler, who has jumped out to a .336 average with six home runs and 19 RBIs in just 146 at-bats.  Butler had been a career Minor League standout, but much like Toronto’s own Chris Colabello, he has become an unexpected source of offense at a position of need.

Next: Series opener: Hutchison needs some stability

May 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (36) celebrates with center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) after defeating the Chicago White Sox 6-0 at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1:  Monday, June 22nd   –   7:10 ET

Drew Hutchison vs. Matt Andriese

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Drew Hutchison has been yo-yoing between great starts and disasters over the past month.  He’ll now look to buck that trend and continue to build from a relatively strong start against the New York Mets last week, where he picked up the win while pitching 5.2 shutout innings.

Hutchison’s 6-1 record hides his troubling 5.33 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.  It will continue to be about fastball aggression and control for Hutchison, as his breaking pitches have left his hand flat during several of his recent starts.  This has put a cap on his ability to chase strikeouts early in the count, and has limited Hutchison to 5 Ks or fewer in each of his past four starts.

Matt Andriese will counter for the Rays and has picked up the win in each of his last two outings.  Andriese remains somewhat of a swingman, however, and his maximum outing of 5.2 innings in 2015 may allow for the Blue Jays to break into Tampa’s bullpen early and level the playing field.

The 25-year old righty will sit just above 90 MPH with his fastball and just below with his two-seamer and cutter.  Andriese will also feature a slider that shows potential, and while he is not overpowering, he’s shown a tendency to pound the zone and avoid running into trouble with walks.

Next: Game 2: Dickey looks to find mid-season groove

Jun 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) and starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) walk onto the field before the game against the New York Mets at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2: Tuesday, June 23rd  –  7:10 ET

R.A. Dickey vs Chris Archer

R.A. Dickey is expected to return to the club in Tampa after taking time to be with his family following the death of his father.  Dickey’s most recent outing came just days after he’d received the news, making his fantastic performance all the more inspiring.

With a 3-6 record Dickey has now clawed his way below the 5.00 ERA mark, but there is still a long way to go before he recaptures his old form.  This season has shown us that there is a such thing as “too much” movement on the knuckleball, which has forced Dickey into some tight situations with walks.

Tampa Bay will turn to Chris Archer in the second game, and there’s no reason to sugar-coat it: The Rays have the advantage.  Archer has stood miles above the rest of this pitching staff as he develops into the division’s top pitcher, which could leave the Blue Jays backed into a corner offensively.

Archer sits comfortably in the mid-90s with his fastball and has averaged just under eleven K/9 in 2015.  His past two starts have seen him come back to earth after being one of the league’s hottest players, however, as he’s allowed six earned runs on 13 hits over his last 12.0 innings.

Next: Finale: Estrada on sweep duty