Toronto @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 4, Toronto 3

The Toronto Blue Jays did the Tampa Bay Rays a favor earlier this week, taking two of three from the American League East leaders from Boston. The Rays shouldn't expect the same level of charity over the weekend as they host the Blue Jays in a pivotal three-game series beginning Friday night. Tampa Bay closed to within two games of the Red Sox after winning two of three against the visiting Seattle Mariners.

Tampa Bay's pursuit of top spot in the East will face a serious test in Friday's series opener, as the Jays send knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to the hill. The National League Cy Young Award winner of a year ago has struggled in his first season in Toronto but has turned things around over his last three starts. The Rays counter with Jeremy Hellickson, who has lost three straight starts but has fared well against the Blue Jays so far this season.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (9-11, 4.46 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (10-6, 4.93)

Dickey has put together three consecutive quality starts for just the second time in 2013, limiting the opposition to four earned runs over 20 2/3 innings in that span. He settled for a no-decision last time out, surrendering three runs on six hits over seven innings in a game won 6-4 by the Oakland Athletics. "I felt like I gave us a chance to win, and that's what I always effort to do every time out is try to throw a quality start," he told reporters after the game.

Hellickson won nine of 10 decisions at one point, but has fallen on hard times. The 26-year-old hasn't made it out of the fifth inning in three weeks, surrendering 13 runs in 12 innings over his past three outings. "I'm not pitching well," he said after his last outing, a three-inning implosion against the L.A. Dodgers. "The last few games I've been in spots where I need to make a bit pitch with two out to get me deeper into the game, and every time I didn't get the job done."

WALK-OFFS

1. The Blue Jays have won just seven of their last 26 games against teams with winning records.

2. The Rays have won Hellickson's last five starts against division rivals.

3. Tampa Bay has won eight of 13 meetings in 2013. Toronto hasn't captured a season series against the Rays since 2006.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Blue Jays 4