MLB Match-Up Friday – Rays, Blue Jays resume AL East rivalry

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The RX MLB Brief – July 17

MLB Match-Up Friday – Rays, Blue Jays resume AL East rivalry

The Tampa Bay Rays were struggling mightily heading into the All-Star break, as they dropped their last seven games. The Rays will try to start the second half on a good note when they host American League East rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays, to kick off a three-game series at Tropicana Field on Friday night.

Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays – 7:10 PM ET
A.J. Burnett (10-8, 4.96) has been the subject of many trade rumors over the first half of the season, and he definitely helped his value in a 4-1 win over the Yankees at home, as he scattered a run on six hits over 8 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old righthander's only real mistake was a solo homer by New York's Jason Giambi in the ninth inning, but this was a much-needed performance after he was blown up for 13 runs in 12 1/3 innings over his previous two starts. Burnett will be looking to avenge a poor outing in his last meeting with the Rays, giving up five runs on nine hits over six innings in a 5-4 loss at home. Burnett also added ten strikeouts in the loss.

James Shields (7-6, 3.83) has a three-game winning streak snapped as the Rays were blanked 5-0 at Cleveland, as he allowed five runs on ten hits over six innings. A break could not have come at a better time for the 26-year-old righthander, because the Rays were going, losses could have started to snowball for him. Despite not having his best stuff and some bad fielding, Shields came away with the win in a 6-4 victory at home against the Blue Jays, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits over seven innings.

The Rays have won four of six meetings with the Blue Jays this season, including a sweep at home. These pitchers bookend the top ten for strikeouts in the American League, as Burnett is first and Shields is tenth. However, Burnett also leads the league in walks, and it is always interesting to wonder which Burnett will show up. Take the Rays to open this series with a win on Thursday.

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