Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays Set to Battle Again in Crucial Series

The last time the Rays and Blue Jays faced each other, it was a different story. The Blue Jays were in third place and the Rays were in fourth. The Rays took the series 2-1, and the teams swapped positions in their group of death division. The Jays are now 2-7 in their last nine games.

The Rays came into a series against the Rangers as one of the hottest teams in baseball. However, they were swept under the rug and have now lost four in a row. Both teams are in need of victories, and this series will determine what moves the Jays are going to make at the trade deadline. Both teams are within seven games of the Red Sox.

Game One, July 7: James Shields (6-6, 3.50 ERA) vs. Mark Rzepczynski (--, ---)

The Blue Jays will be throwing Mark Rzepczynski against the Rays. He is the twelfth different starter for the Jays this year, and fifth rookie pitcher. In two triple-A starts, Rzepczynski was 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA.

The Rays' starter will be James Shields. His last start was against the Rays, where he didn't fare too well. In 7 1/3 innings, Shields yielded four earned runs off of seven hits. The least impressive thing about Shields's last outing was the three home runs he gave up.

James Shields has fared well at home. At the Trop this year, he's 4-2 with a 3.18 ERA, although his .278 batting average against is concerning. In his career, Shields is now 4-3 with a 3.29 ERA against the Blue Jays.

Mark Rzepczynski is left-handed, which could spell trouble for the Rays. They continue to struggle to win against southpaws, posting a 13-17 record.

Look for Kevin Millar to play, and be successful. In his career against James Shields, Millar is 11-for-33 with four RBI. Also look for the snappage of Scott Rolen's 23 game hitting streak, as he's only 2-for-13 career against Shields.

The Rays offense has also been non-existent in the past six games. As a team, they're batting .196 with 35 hits, 15 runs, and 14 RBI. Evan Longoria (.056 avg), Carlos Pena (.095 avg), and Ben Zobrist (.200 avg) have all struggled in that stretch.

Prediction: Blue Jays 5, Rays 3—A left-handed pitcher that the Rays have never seen before spells trouble.

Game Two, July 8: Scott Kazmir (4-5, 6.79 ERA) vs. Brian Tallet (5-6, 4.38 ERA)

Scott Kazmir is making his third appearance since returning from the DL. He's been effective (2.70 ERA), but hasn't lasted past the fifth inning in either of his two starts. Kazmir struck out 11 and walked two in those ten innings.

Brian Tallet is also coming off a good start, where he got the loss due to lack of run support. Against the potent Yankees offense, Tallet yielded two earned runs over six innings. His control might be a problem (four walks compared to three strikeouts).

In Scott Kazmir's career against the Blue Jays, he's been decent with a 3-4 record and 3.44 ERA. Brian Tallet has had more success against the Rays, with a career 2-0 record and 1.79 ERA. However, at the Trop, Tallet has a 5.40 ERA.

Expect Vernon Wells to have a good game, as he's batting .370 with two home runs and a 1.209 OPS against Kazmir. Also look for All-Star Aaron Hill to come up big, as he's batting .348 with three RBI against Kazmir.

On the Rays side, expect All-Star Carl Crawford to continue his hot play, as he's 3-for-6 with four RBI against Tallet.

Prediction: Rays 6, Blue Jays 3—The Rays offense has been stagnant, but if they can get Longoria or Pena going, they'll win. A streak's got to snap some time.

Game Three, July 9: David Price (2-3, 5.21 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (10-2, 2.79 ERA)

Roy Halladay was not effective in his last start, which was against the Yankees. In seven innings, he yielded five earned runs, nine hits, and threw as many walks (three) as strikeouts.

David Price was atrocious in his last start against the potent Rangers offense. He only lasted 1.1 innings while yielding six earned runs off of six hits and five walks. Control continues to be a problem for Price.

In his last start against the Rays, Halladay was effective, but got no run support. He only yielded two earned runs over six innings and he struck out seven. He also has been great against the Rays in his career with an 11-8 record and 3.72 ERA. He's also undefeated (4-0) with a 2.52 ERA on the road this year.

Price has only gotten to the seventh inning once, and has only thrown one quality start in eight attempts. The Rays have a good bullpen, but they don't want to have to use them often because they were overworked in the Rangers series.

Look for Carl Crawford to end the series on a high note, as he's batting .313 with two home runs and nine RBI in his career against Roy Halladay. On the Rays side, look for Aaron Hill to have a big game, with a .314 average and 18 RBI against left-handers this year.

Prediction: Blue Jays 8, Rays 5—Halladay will finally get some run support. Look for the Jays All-Stars (Halladay, Hill) to have big games and Price to be driven out early again.