Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Tampa Bay Rays, May 15

It's amazing how much one swing can change things in baseball.

After dropping Tuesday's series opener to the Rays, the Blue Jays entered the bottom of the sixth inning of Wednesday's game staring down the barrel of a 1-0 deficit.

And then Alejandro Kirk entered the picture.

Kirk continued his hot start to the season with a majestic, go-ahead three home run that helped lead the Blue Jays to a 3-1 win over the division-rival Rays.

All that sets up today's important series finale. With a win, the Blue Jays would secure their second-straight series win and would go above .500 for the first time in a month.

Kevin Gausman will get the ball for the Blue Jays and will go against Zack Littell. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. EDT, and will be available to stream on Sportsnet.

Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Tampa Bay Rays, May 15

Probable starting pitchers

Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.97 ERA, 40 K) vs. Zack Littell (2-5, 4.40 ERA, 30)

Gausman's coming off a start where he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Mariners in an eventual Blue Jays win. It was another strong start for the veteran, as he started the season strong but ended April with a horrible outing against the Yankees (six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings).

He's followed that up with two strong starts, however (he threw six scoreless innings against the Guardians prior to his start against Seattle), and will look to keep the good vibes going today against the Mariners.

He's thrown 122 career innings against the Rays (his third-most against any team) and has a 3.76 ERA against Tampa. He made two starts against the Rays last year and allowed three runs in six innings in the second of those starts.

Christopher Morel is the only Ray to have hit a home run off Gausman in his career.

Littell's in his third season with the Rays after the team acquired him during the 2023 season, and he's turned into a serviceable start for them. He had a rough start to the season but has pitched well as of late, and is coming off a start where he allowed two runs over six innings in a win over the Brewers.

He's made four career appearances (two starts) against the Blue Jays, and has allowed five earned runs in 13 1/3 innings.

Anthony Santander is the only Blue Jay to have hit a home run off him in his career.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup, May 15

• 1. SS Bo Bichette
• 2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• 3. RF Anthony Santander
• 4. DH George Springer
• 5. C Alejandro Kirk
• 6. 3B Addison Barger
• 7. 2B Ernie Clement
• 8. CF Myles Straw
• 9. LF Nathan Lukes

Kirk moves up a spot in the lineup after his big home run yesterday in place of Daulton Varsho, who gets an off day. Straw is getting the start in center in place of Varsho, while Lukes is the latest Blue Jay to take a turn in left field.

Santander's in the field after working as a designated hitter the past couple games. He's said that playing the field helps him stay focused during games, so it'll be intresting to see if that helps him have better at-bats today.