Blue Jays open second half against division rival Rays

Jun 29, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Grady Sizemore (24) is congratulated by third baseman Evan Longoria (3) after he hit a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field. Cleveland Indians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Across the Diamond: Tampa Bay Rays

If the Tampa Bay Rays are going to beat you, it’s going to be with their pitching staff more often than their bats. Offensively, the Rays rank 24th in the MLB in runs scored and 25th in cumulative team average at just .240.

Evan Longoria continues to be dangerous at the heart of the lineup, hitting .276 with nine home runs and a team-leading 41 RBI on the season. Logan Forsythe has been another consistent source of offense, as well, posting eerily similar numbers with a .274 average, nine home runs and 35 RBI. Steven Souza Jr., the club’s greatest manufacturer of home runs and strikeouts, will remain on the DL through the Toronto series.

The pitching staff, led by the dominant Chris Archer, sits eighth in the Majors with a 3.54 ERA, which is extremely impressive given their early uncertainties and rash of injuries. The staff sits fourth in strikeouts and second in opponent batting average at just .236.  Gulp.

Next: Game 1: Hey, Hutch... Wake up!