NO. 8 BLUE JAYS VS. NO. 1 RAYS

Only a 60- game season with an expanded playoffs format would give the Rays a chance to win two- thirds of their games and the Blue Jays an opportunity to make the postseason with a core many believed to be a few years away. Now, the American League East foes meet in the one- seed versus eight- seed matchup in a best- of- three, wild- card series at Tropicana Field. The Rays won the season series 6- 4, while the Jays bested them in run differential 48- 44.

The Rays’ consistency – they were in first place for 44 days – on their way to finishing 20 games above .500 purports better than the Jays’ streakiness; they lost six in a row before winning six of their final eight to clinch their playoff spot.

SCHEDULE Tuesday:

Blue Jays ( Matt Shoemaker, 0- 1, 4.71) at Rays ( Blake Snell, 4- 2, 3.24), 5 p. m. ET, TBS

Wednesday: Blue Jays ( Hyun Jin Ryu, 5- 2, 2.69) at Rays ( Tyler Glasnow, 5- 1, 4.08), 4 ET, TBS

Thursday ( if necessary): Blue Jays ( Taijuan Walker, 4- 3, 2.70) at Rays ( Charlie Morton, 2- 2, 4.74), TBD, TBS

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

Elite Rays bullpen: Despite injuries, the unit still led the majors in fWAR ( 3.6). The “whole stable of guys who can throw 98,” as manager Kevin Cash says, features Nick Anderson ( 14.3 K/ 9 ratio) and Diego Castillo ( 1.66 ERA in 21 2⁄ innings) as the

3 anchors. The Tampa Bay relievers’ 3.37 ERA was third in the majors, and the bullpen was key in the Rays posting a 14- 5 record in one- run games.

Rays starters: Tampa Bay owns the luxury of a Blake Snell- Tyler Glasnow 1- 2 punch in the rotation, with Charlie Morton waiting in the event of a Game 3. As Hyun Jin- Ryu ( 2.69 ERA in 12 starts) experienced soreness after his start Friday, the Jays might have to cope with not sending their ace to the hill for the opener. Blue Jays young guns: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ( 21 years old) is heating up ( 1.316 OPS, six extra- base hits over his last 28 plate appearances), but Bo Bichette ( 22) has slumped since returning from the injured list. Teoscar Hernandez ( 27) has been a revelation in 2020 and Cavan Biggio ( 25) has patience and power.

PREDICTION: Rays in 2