Tampa Bay @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( May 16, 2016 ) Tampa Bay 13, Toronto 2

Desmond Jennings broke out of a pronounced slump and the Tampa Bay Rays did the same en route to posting an emphatic victory in the opener of their eight-game road trip. Jennings and the Rays hope to ride the momentum of the offensive explosion on Tuesday as they vie to clinch a series victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Mired in a 1-for-36 slump, Jennings highlighted his three-hit performance with a home run into the second deck as Tampa Bay recorded season highs in both runs and hits (17) in a series-opening 13-2 rout on Monday. While the Rays notched just their second win in seven contests overall to even the season series at four victories apiece, the Blue Jays have dropped three in a row and four of five. Jose Bautista was no worse for wear after taking a punch to the face from Texas' Rougned Odor on Sunday, registering an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to five games. The 35-year-old Dominican has struggled mightily versus Tuesday's starter Chris Archer, going 6-for-37 (.162) with five strikeouts.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (2-4, 4.57 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (4-0, 3.54)

Archer has pitched well in both starts versus Toronto this season, only to walk away with an 0-1 record. The 27-year-old struck out a season-high 12 in five innings of a 5-3 setback on April 3 before recording a no-decision four weeks later despite permitting two runs and one hit in six frames. Archer was fortunate enough to walk away with a no-decision on Wednesday after yielding four runs and five hits in as many innings against Seattle.

Stroman improved to 3-1 lifetime against Tampa Bay after recording two strong eight-inning outings this season. The 25-year-old allowed three runs in a 5-3 win on April 3 before permitting one and striking out a season-high nine batters in a 5-1 triumph on May 1. Stroman has recorded no-decisions in his last two turns despite yielding just two earned runs in each outing.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto MGR John Gibbons has been making a habit of early exits, as he was ejected on Monday for the second straight game and third time this season.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria has scored at least one run in each contest during his five-game hitting streak.

3. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak has recorded three RBIs and two runs scored on his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rays 3