Toronto @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 21, 2014 ) Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 0

The Tampa Bay Rays look to build off a solid offensive performance in the season opener when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the second contest of a four-game series. Wil Myers led four players recording multi-hit efforts with three in a 9-2 victory Monday as the Rays scored six times in the first five innings. Tampa Bay sends Alex Cobb to the mound against a Toronto team which will be without leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left hamstring tightness.

Reyes, the speedy catalyst who played only 93 games last season due to injuries, left Monday’s contest in the first inning after flying out. Toronto must get more from sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, who combined for one hit and four strikeouts in the opener. Tampa Bay cleanup hitter Evan Longoria, who is one homer shy of Carlos Pena’s all-time club record of 163, had two hits Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, RSN Ontario (Toronto), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Drew Hutchison (2012: 5-3, 4.60 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (2013: 11-3, 2.76)

Hutchison missed all of the 2013 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery before winning a spot in the rotation during spring training. The 23-year-old Lakeland, Fla. native allowed three runs and eight hits over 15 innings in the spring, striking out 19 and walking only four. Hutchison was roughed up in his only appearance against Tampa Bay in 2012, allowing six runs in four frames.

Cobb missed two months last season after being hit in the head by a line drive but was 5-1 after returning and pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in the American League wild-card game. The crafty 26-year-old struck out 134 in 143 1/3 innings and only walked 45 in 2013. Cobb is 2-0 in a pair of starts – one last year -- against Toronto in his career, yielding only two runs in 13 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF David DeJesus left Monday's game in the eighth inning with a sore right foot, but X-rays were negative.

2. Toronto RHP Sergio Santos is expected to take the closer’s role with RHP Casey Janssen on the 15-day disabled list.

3. The Rays have gone 19-0-1 in home series against the Blue Jays since their last loss in early April 2007.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Blue Jays 1