The Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays clash in the third game of a crucial five-game set at the Rogers Centre. The Rays are expected to start right-hander Drew Rasmussen while the Blue Jays counter with Ross Stripling. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM ET. Toronto opens as a slight home favorite.
Rasmussen Starts for Tampa
The Rays will turn to right-hander Drew Rasmussen for the third game of this critical showdown with the Blue Jays. He delivered a stellar performance in last Friday's win over the Yankees, racking up 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings in an impressive game. The right-hander gave up six hits on the night -- all of them singles -- and did not walk a batter. According to baseballsavant.com, he gathered a staggering 22 swinging strikes on 94 pitches in the ballgame -- 15 of those on his cutter -- while posting a CSW of 32 percent. This is a critical series with the Jays, and he needs his best stuff once again. He brings a solid 2.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP with a dynamite 113/27 K/BB ratio into this game. Tampa is in a dogfight for the American League wild card with the Blue Jays, but the Orioles beginning to fade (5.5 games back) so it looks like both clubs will be able to make it in barring a huge meltdown. They have suffered some serious injuries this year to some of their best arms, including Shane Baz, but they have remained afloat.
Jays Rolling With Stripling
Ross Stripling will get the start for Toronto in the third game of this series. He held the Rangers to two runs in six innings in a no-decision Friday in his last appearance. Stripling left with a one-run lead, but it was lost in the eighth inning before the Blue Jays went on to win the game 4-3. It still goes as Stripling's fifth straight quality start since he came off the injured list last month and he has been an excellent piece of the Jays' rotation this season. He comes into this start with a 3.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 113/27 K/BB ratio over 122+ innings.
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Originally Posted by Laika
