Erasmo Ramirez (4-1, 1.40 ERA) and Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 3.33 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (10-11) and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-13) at Tropicana Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 29 and can be seen on SUN and RSN1.
Ramirez pitched 2.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs in a 3-1 win over the Orioles. Logan Forsythe (.307, 13 Rs, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 Wednesday. Sanchez went 4.1 innings, surrendering six runs, striking out three and walking one in an 8-5 defeat to the Athletics in his last outing. Josh Donaldson (.297, 21 Rs, 7 HRs, 19 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Blue Jays, going 2 for 3 Wednesday.
Notes
Toronto has won 25% (3-9) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Tampa Bay has won 57% (4-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Blue Jays didn’t score any runs in their last game. The Rays have a 2-0 record when they don’t allow any runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 5-2. The Blue Jays have a 7-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 28th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 71 this season. Toronto ranks in the top 10 with 91.
Ranking 26th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.671). Toronto ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .709.
The Blue Jays are 7-7 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rays are 4-10 when they allow at least one homer.
