Monday, May 31 | 7:07 PM ET
TB Matt Garza, RHP (5-3, 2.97) @ TOR Brandon Morrow, RHP (3-4, 6.66)
Rays: Garza had his worst outing of the year in his last start against the Red Sox, giving up six runs on three home runs and walking five batters in just five innings on Wednesday. He will look to redeem himself in his 11th start of the season. The right-hander lacked his usually excellent fastball control, and he said his off-speed control is generally dependent on his ability to locate his fastball. If Garza hopes to return to his early-season form, when he pitched eight innings and gave up two runs over his first three games -- all wins -- combined, he will need to have his fastball under control first and foremost. Garza's first start of the season against Toronto was arguably his second-worst performance of the year so far; he gave up five runs on eight hits and four walks in just five innings. He holds a 6-4 career record against the Blue Jays, including a 3-2 mark with a 1.16 ERA in Rogers Centre.
Blue Jays: Morrow was serviceable in his last outing, going five innings and allowing three runs on three hits with four walks, as the Blue Jays fell to the Angels courtesy of a Bobby Abreu walk-off single. While the damage was not particularly bad, Morrow fell into some old habits; issuing too many walks and working a high pitch count (96) early in the ballgame. On the plus side, Morrow struck out six batters -- the eighth consecutive game he has recorded more punchouts than innings. Morrow's 6.66 ERA is not overly impressive by any means, but the young right-hander has shown tremendous promise, especially in the strikeout department (65 in 50 innings). Hopefully Morrow can help lower his ERA vs. the Rays, whom he has boasted a lifetime 2.30 ERA against in 15 2/3 innings.
Tuesday, June 1 | 7:07 PM ET
TB Jeff Niemann, RHP (5-0, 2.37) @ TOR Brian Tallet, LHP (1-1, 6.11)
Rays: Niemann remains the model of consistency for the Rays, recording his ninth consecutive quality start, the longest active streak in the American League, by giving up just one earned run over eight innings of work Thursday night against the White Sox. He became the second starter in Tampa Bay history to begin the season 5-0, joining James Shields, who went 6-0 in 2007. His team has won eight of his last nine starts.
Blue Jays: After a week of speculation, the Blue Jays finally named Tallet as Tuesday's starting pitcher against the Rays. Tallet, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 18 with a left forearm injury, made two rehab appearances -- one with high Class A Dunedin and one with Triple-A Las Vegas -- going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA over 5 1/3 frames. The big left-hander also surrendered 11 hits over that span with only four strikeouts -- not particularly encouraging. Tallet's struggles were evident before the injury, going 1-1 with a 6.11 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. Tallet will attempt to stake his claim for the Blue Jays' fifth-rotation spot against the Rays, whom he is 2-1 against with a 6.03 ERA over 31 1/3 innings.
Wednesday, June 2 | 7:07 PM ET
TB David Price, LHP (7-2, 2.57) @ TOR Shaun Marcum, RHP (5-1, 2.59)
Rays: Price didn't quite have full control of his fastball in his last start, and he wasn't pleased with the outing despite a relatively impressive line of seven innings, four hits and three runs. But the four walks, one hit batter and two home runs stood out to the young left-hander more than anything, and they eventually led to him picking up his second loss of the season. Price threw two pitches -- a slider and a two-seam fastball -- that the White Sox sent into the stands. Price will make his 11th start of the season and his second against the Blue Jays. The lefty was absolutely dominant in his first outing against Toronto this year, throwing perhaps the best game of his young career -- a four-hit shutout in which he struck out nine batters.
Blue Jays: Marcum was fantastic in his last start vs. the Orioles -- six innings, surrendering no runs on six hits -- en route to his fourth consecutive win and fifth win in the month of May. The scary thing being, the veteran right-hander didn't even have his best stuff. Marcum said he was trying to be too fine, working an unusually high pitch count (by his standards) early in the ballgame (106). For the fourth consecutive game, Marcum has allowed two or fewer walks while allowing no home runs. Marcum is 2-0 lifetime against the Rays with a minuscule 0.75 ERA over 24 frames.
. We need a ton of run support today.. Go beastista
