Toronto @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2015 ) Toronto 1, Tampa Bay 5

The Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their mastery of the offensively gifted Toronto Blue Jays when they host the opener of a three-game series on Monday. The Rays, who lead the American League in ERA (3.28), have won six of seven against the major league’s top-scoring team in 2015 while holding the Blue Jays to two runs or fewer five times.

Tampa Bay comes home after a solid 4-1 road trip and has won eight of 10 overall to maintain a one-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees – three ahead of the Blue Jays. Toronto starter Drew Hutchison will try to cool off Logan Forsythe (13-for-27, seven games) and the Blue Jays attempt to continue their torrid hitting against Tampa Bay right-hander Matt Andriese. Kevin Pillar has led Toronto in June, going 27-for 67 with four homers and 17 RBIs in 18 contests, and brings a six-game hitting streak into the series. The Blue Jays have dropped two straight after winning 14 of the previous 16.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Drew Hutchison (6-1, 5.33 ERA) vs. Rays RH Matt Andriese (2-1, 3.26)

Hutchison has won his last three decisions, allowing one run combined across 21 innings in the trio of triumphs, but owns a 5.65 ERA in three June starts. The Lakeland, Fla. native has been inconsistent, permitting five or more runs in five of his 14 starts and two or fewer in seven of them. Hutchison has handled Evan Longoria (0-for-10, three strikeouts), although he is 2-2 with a 6.31 ERA in five career outings against Tampa Bay.

Andriese has won his last two outings – once each as a starter and a reliever – while allowing two runs over 9 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox and Washington. The Rays have won in the UC Riverside product’s last six appearances, in which he has 16 strikeouts and three walks. Justin Smoak has a homer against Andriese, who yielded four runs over 8 2/3 innings in three appearances (one start) against Toronto this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay RHP Steve Geltz has retired 25 consecutive batters, one shy of Kyle Farnsworth’s franchise record in 2011.

2. Toronto RF Jose Bautista is 5-for-11 with eight RBIs in his last four games and has reached base in 29 of the last 30 contests.

3. The Rays are 19-2 when Longoria knocks in a run this season and three-time All Star has 86 RBIs in 121 career games against the Blue Jays.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rays 3