Tampa Bay @ Toronto preview
Rogers Centre
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 1, Toronto 2
The Toronto Blue Jays long ago became an afterthought in the American League East, fading from contention after a rash of injuries to their pitching staff. But they're back in the front of the Tampa Bay Rays' minds, as Toronto tries to play spoiler by beating the Rays for the third straight game and claiming the four-game series at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays have won three straight for the first time since July 26-28, while the Rays have lost six of seven and fallen 4 1/2 back of the Yankees in the division and 2 1/2 behind Baltimore for the final wild-card spot from the American League.
The Rays are counting on right-hander Jeff Niemann to help get them back on track. He makes his first start since May 14 after spending more than three months on the disabled list with a broken right fibula. Tampa Bay also hopes facing right-hander Henderson Alvarez will be the answer to its offensive woes. The Rays have pounded Alvarez for 16 runs (12 earned) in 17 2/3 innings over three meetings this season.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, RSN, TVA Sports
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jeff Niemann (2-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rays RH Henderson Alvarez (7-11, 4.97)
Niemann will make his return on the same mound where he took a line drive off his lower right leg in May. He had just one quality start in his seven outings before the injury. Niemann is 4-4 with a 5.04 ERA in 13 starts against the Blue Jays, including an 0-1 mark this year.
Alvarez had his own scary moment in his last start against the Yankees. He took a liner off the shin and had to leave after 3 1/3 innings, but he was cleared to make his next start. The 22-year-old struggled in August, though, going 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA. He hasn't won since July 28. Alvarez is 0-4 with a 6.08 ERA in four starts against the Rays.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay has lost 11 of its last 12 one-run games and has 11 losses in which it has allowed two or fewer runs, the most in the majors.
2. Rays 3B Evan Longoria is 6-for-9 with three homers against Alvarez.
3. Blue Jays OF Adam Lind has given Niemann trouble, going 13-for-29 (.448) with three homers and nine RBIs against him. Lind is 6-for-20 (.300) since coming off the disabled list Aug. 27.