MLB Game Preview - Toronto at Tampa Bay
Sun Sep 8, 2019 1:10 PM EDT

TEX
10
BAL
4
F
KC
0
MIA
9
F
PHI
10
NYM
7
F
ARI
3
CIN
4
F
TOR
3
TB
8
F
WSH
9
ATL
4
F
STL
2
PIT
0
F
CLE
5
MIN
2
F
CHC
5
MIL
8
F
SEA
1
HOU
21
F
LAA
1
CHW
5
F
DET
1
OAK
3
F
COL
1
SD
2
F(10)
SF
0
LAD
5
F
NYY
10
BOS
5
F
Rays to get Glasnow back for finale with Jays
Sun Sep 8, 2019 11:28 AM

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow is expected to make his first start in nearly four months when the Tampa Bay Rays go for a four-game sweep over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

The Rays made it three in a row over their American League East rivals on Saturday night when they scored three late runs to rally from a 3-2 deficit, handing the Blue Jays a sixth straight defeat in the process.

While Saturday's focus was on the major league debut of Blue Jays left-hander Anthony Kay, Sunday will mark Glasnow (6-1, 1.86 ERA) appearing for the first time since May 10 after being sidelined with a strained right forearm.

"That's what I'm looking forward to the most: Just being able to come back and contribute instead of just sitting in the dugout," Glasnow told reporters Saturday. "I'm excited. I've been preparing for this."

When last seen, the 26-year-old was one of the Rays' top pitchers. He allowed a total of just seven runs in his first seven starts, before his arm began bothering him in his first loss, 4-3 to the New York Yankees.

He went on the 10-day injured list, then to the 60-day list, and has been fighting an uphill battle to return ever since.

Rays manager Kevin Cash indicated to reporters Saturday that he's not planning to go overboard in Glasnow's return. It would be surprising if he threw more than 50 pitches.

Glasnow hasn't had much success against the Blue Jays in his career, going 0-2 with a 7.41 ERA in four starts.

When the second-year Ray turns the ball over to the bullpen, he can expect it will be in dependable hands. The Tampa Bay bullpen rescued 14-game winner Charlie Morton on Saturday night, throwing three scoreless innings to allow the club to rally and take the right-hander off the hook for a loss.

Glasnow will be facing a team that's looking for answers in the outfield. In an unusual move, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo slotted his outfielders seventh, eighth and ninth in the batting order Saturday, and they combined to go 2-for-10.

That performance, though, by Jonathan Davis (2-for-4), Billy McKinney (0-for-3) and Derek Fisher (0-for-3), was an improvement over Thursday's 1-for-11 from outfielders Randal Grichuk, Teoscar Hernandez and Fisher, and Friday's 1-for-10 from Davis, Hernandez and Anthony Alford.

Davis and McKinney each drove in a run Saturday.

Toronto general manager Ross Atkins noted this week that future roles could potentially be impacted by what happens the rest of the way.

"If one guy takes a leap forward and suggests that they should be more cemented in one of those roles, that would be a fine outcome," he explained. "Having options and having depth is something you can never have enough of."

The Blue Jays have yet to win on a six-game trip that ends Sunday. A loss would be their 89th, equaling last year's season total.

They'll be handing the ball to rookie right-hander Jacob Waguespack (4-3, 3.97), who has gone 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Rays this season.

The Rays have won eight of nine on a 10-game homestand. They'll take a four-game winning streak into the game.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Toronto            
Tampa Bay            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Jacob Waguespack - TB
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Tampa Bay
Tyler Glasnow - LAD
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Toronto

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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