The Rays come in red hot at 21-12, while the Blue Jays come in after a split with the Minnesota Twins.
After splitting a four-game series in Minnesota over the weekend, the 16-18 Toronto Blue Jays are heading south this week to take on the Tampa Bay Rays for three games at Tropicana Field.
It will be the first series at Tropicana Field for the Jays since 2024, as Tampa Bay played their games last season at the Yankees spring training complex because of damage sustained by Tropicana Field in a November 2024 hurricane.
The Rays enter play at 21-12 and on the heels of a win against the San Francisco Giants in 10 innings.
Here's what you need to know about the pitching matchups for the three games.
Eric Lauer (1-3, 6.00 ERA) @ Nick Martinez (2-1, 1.70 ERA)
Lauer, who entered camp as a long man in the bullpen, has been thrust into the rotation because of injuries to Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Max Scherzer and Jose Berrios.
He's made five starts out of six appearances and is coming off a 4.1-inning performance in his last outing. He gave up only one run and has given up three runs of less in each of his last three, though he hasn't gone above five innings in any of them.
The 35-year-old Martinez has thrown eight and seven innings in his last two outings, giving up only one total run.
Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.10 ERA) @ Drew Rasmussen (2-1, 2.64 ERA)
This one represents a battle of team aces, though Gausman is coming off a difficult start in Minnesota that saw him surrender four earned runs in 5.2 innings.
He's struck out 40 batters in 40.2 innings so far.
Rasmussen has 32 strikeouts in 30.2 innings and is coming off a five-inning loss against Cleveland in which he gave up two earned runs.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) walks towards the dugout against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn ImagesPatrick Corbin (1-0, 3.65 ERA) @ Shane McClanahan (3-2, 3.10 ERA)
The 36-year-old Corbin earned his first win of the season on May 1, beating the Twins by giving up just two earned runs over 5.1 innings. He's been a solid stopgap in the rotation because of all the injuries as well.
McClanahan, back from injuries that have cost him each of the last two seasons, is coming off a six-inning gem in which he gave up no runs while striking out five. He's thrown 11 consecutive shutout innings in his last two starts.
In other news
Addison Barger is currently rehabbing with Single-A Dunedin. He could join the team as it heads back north on Wednesday to be reinstated.
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