Tampa Bay @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2019 ) Tampa Bay 1, Toronto 4

The Tampa Bay Rays could not get the bats going on Saturday and cost themselves a chance to host the American League Wild Card Game. The Rays will try to end the regular season on a high note and take some momentum into that wild card tilt when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the finale on Sunday.

The Rays needed to finish ahead of Oakland in the standings to host the wild card game but suffered a 4-1 loss on Saturday, though the destination of Wednesday's one-game playoff won't keep the players from believing they can win. "We're a confident team, regardless of where we are," third baseman Matt Duffy told reporters. "With how we've been at home lately, I think you can make an argument that we'd rather be there. Obviously, we'd rather play in front of home fans, but in terms of our ability to win one game, I don't think it matters." The Blue Jays are playing out the string while trying to spoil things for their division rivals and are winners of three of their last five games. Tampa Bay will give reigning Cy Young award winner Blake Snell a postseason tune-up on Sunday while Toronto sends veteran Clay Buchholz to the mound.

TV: 3:07 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), OMNI, Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (6-7, 4.21 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Clay Buchholz (1-5, 7.00)

Snell is making his was back from surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow and could be a weapon out of the bullpen in the wild card game. The 26-year-old is expected to work up to three innings on Sunday after totaling 3 2/3 frames in two starts since coming off the injured list. Snell last saw Toronto on May 29 when he scattered two runs and six hits over six innings without factoring in the decision.

Buchholz is trying to finish the season on a high note but was knocked around in his last two outings, surrendering a total of 13 runs and 16 hits - five homers - over 7 2/3 innings. The Texas native got enough run support to escape without a decision in those two turns and is winless in his last four starts. That streak began on Sept. 6 at Tampa Bay, when Buchholz was reached for four runs - three earned - and seven hits over six innings to suffer a loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) was scratched from Saturday's lineup while SS Bo Bichette (concussion) was shut down for the rest of the season.

2. Rays 3B Yandy Diaz (foot) could return to the lineup on Sunday.

3. Tampa Bay 1B Ji-Man Choi (foot) could be available off the bench in the finale.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Blue Jays 3