Blue Jays at Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays figure to have a definitive advantage in terms of rest when they begin a three-game series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. While the Rays had Thursday off to absorb a series loss at the Detroit Tigers, the Blue Jays played 20 innings while splitting a doubleheader in Cleveland that ended just before midnight.
Yangervis Solarte's grand slam in the 11th lifted Toronto to a 13-11 win in the opener and he had a solo shot among three hits in the nightcap but the Indians rolled 13-4. Toronto activated star third baseman Josh Donaldson (shoulder) from the disabled list and he received plenty of work in his return, going 4-for-11 with two homers during the twinbill. The Rays have played four straight one-run games, losing three of them, including Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Tigers in 12 innings. Tampa Bay won its last four at home and will aim for five straight behind rookie Ryan Yarbrough, who opposes red-hot lefty J.A. Happ for the Blue Jays.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (4-1, 3.50 ERA) vs. Rays LH Ryan Yarbrough (1-1, 4.19)
Happ has at least eight strikeouts in each of his last five starts and fanned nine in seven strong innings while defeating Texas his last time out. The 35-year-old's only road outing resulted in six innings of one-run ball at Baltimore on April 9, but he owns a 6.27 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) at Tampa Bay. Despite sharing a division, Happ hasn't faced the Rays over his last 36 starts dating to Sept. 4, 2016.
Yarbrough will be making his eighth appearance of the year but just his second start. He took the loss in his first start April 15 against Philadelphia after giving up five runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old allowed two runs in four frames of relief at Boston on April 28 to pick up his first career victory.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rays C Wilson Ramos has hit safely in 11 straight games and 1B C.J. Cron has done so in 10 straight.
2. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak was placed on the paternity list to make room on the active roster for Donaldson.
3. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar is 14-for-34 with 10 extra-base hits and five walks during a nine-game hitting streak.