Tampa Bay @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 7, Toronto 0

The Tampa Bay Rays finally were able to enjoy a breather following six consecutive one-run decisions, opening a nine-game road trip by blitzing the Toronto Blue Jays 7-0 in Friday night's series opener. The Rays have dominated the season series against the Blue Jays, winning six of seven entering Saturday's matinee at Rogers Centre.

Michael Perez clubbed his first career homer and Ji-Man Choi went deep for the second time in as many days for Tampa Bay. The Rays also received three RBIs from Joey Wendle and three hits from rookie Willy Adames to win for the third time in four games. Randal Grichuk has hit safely in four straight games and nine of 10 for the Blue Jays, who have lost six of their last seven at home. Toronto, which has allowed 38 runs during a 1-4 stretch, sends Sam Gaviglio to the mound to oppose Ryne Stanek.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), Sportsnet-1 (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-3, 2.56 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH RH Sam Gaviglio (2-4, 5.08)

Stanek surrendered a pair of solo homers in two innings while serving as the opener versus Baltimore on Wednesday, but he fanned four and has nine strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings over his last two outings. Stanek has surrendered only four homers in his last 33 appearances, with all coming against the Orioles in an 11-day span. Stanek struck out three in two scoreless innings versus Toronto on June 12.

Gaviglio's winless drought reached 13 appearances dating to May 30 when he was saddled with a no-decision at Seattle on Sunday after giving up three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. He is 0-4 since winning at Philadelphia on May 25, including a loss at Tampa Bay on June 11, when he gave up five runs over 3 1/3 innings. Rookie Jake Bauers is 2-for-2 with a homer and double versus Gaviglio.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays LH Blake Snell pitched five perfect innings Friday but became the fourth pitcher in the live-ball era to be pulled during a perfect game of at least five frames.

2. Blue Jays DH Kendrys Morales is 1-for-19 over his last five games.

3. Adames is 7-for-15 during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Blue Jays 3