Tampa Bay @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 4, Toronto 3

The Toronto Blue Jays have dropped 15 of their last 22 since an 11-game winning streak in June had put them back in American League East race. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey looks to change the pattern as the Blue Jays attempt to salvage the finale of the three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Toronto will not be an easy out as sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion have combined for 48 homers – including three in the series.

The Rays continue to roll by winning four straight and 16 of their last 18 contests. Tampa Bay rookie Wil Myers, who is batting .310, is 14-for-28 with five RBIs in the last seven games since getting a day off. James Loney, who is batting .315 with 43 RBIs, is also expected to return from the paternity list for the Rays on Sunday.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, SunSports (Tampa Bay), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (4-3, 2.96 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-10, 4.69)

Archer is coming off the best two starts of his career, including a complete-game shutout of Houston last Sunday. The 24-year-old did not walk a batter in those two outings while surrendering only one unearned run in 15 innings. Archer, who has never faced Toronto, is 3-0 in his last five starts with a 1.69 ERA as he battles for a permanent spot in the rotation.

Dickey lost his last two outings after winning three straight decisions, including a two-hit shutout of Tampa Bay on June 26. The veteran right-hander yielded six runs (four earned) over 14 innings in the previous two starts against the Rays this season, winning the only decision of the pair. Dickey is 3-2 lifetime in 10 appearances (six starts) versus Tampa Bay with a 3.75 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays RHP Fernando Rodney has converted his last 14 save attempts and tied Danys Baez for second on the club’s all-time list with 71 overall.

2. Toronto LHP Juan Perez has not allowed an earned run his first 19 2/3 innings in the majors, the second longest stretch in franchise history to start a career behind Victor Cruz (21 1/3 in 1978).

3. Tampa Bay leadoff hitter Desmond Jennings is 1-for-13 with four strikeouts against Dickey.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rays 2