Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.27 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.86 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (78-64) and the Tampa Bay Rays (60-82) at the Rogers Centre. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 12 and can be seen on RSN and SUN.
Liriano pitched 2.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs and striking out three in a 5-3 defeat to the Yankees. Edwin Encarnacion (.269, 90 Rs, 39 HRs, 115 RBIs, 2 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 4 with three runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. Odorizzi went 4.0 innings, surrendering seven runs, striking out two and walking three in an 11-2 defeat to the Orioles in his most recent start. Brad Miller (.249, 64 Rs, 27 HRs, 70 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 42% (28-38) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Toronto has won 49% (32-33) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Blue Jays have a 9-10 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 42-14. The Blue Jays have a 63-10 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 22nd, Tampa Bay sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 599 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 689.
Ranking 15th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.741). Toronto ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .762.
The Rays are 33-74 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Blue Jays are 48-50 when they allow at least one homer.
