Rays at Blue Jays: previewing the pitching

After winning the Citrus Series two games to one, the Rays travel north of the wall border to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in a four game series at Rogers Centre. The Rays outscored the Marlins in the series, 19-15 with a few surprising heroes rising to the occasion. David DeJesus and Tim Beckham in particular played well and may have earned some more playing time as other players have slumped (Hi, Steve!).

Jake Odorizzi vs R.A. Dickey, Monday at 7:07

Jake Odorizzi is coming off a great first start in which he went 6+ scoreless innings against the Orioles and struck out seven.

Here's how the Blue Jays have done against Odorizzi during his career, in a small sample size, they haven't done very well.

R.A. Dickey began his 19th year in professional baseball in his last start in which he went 6+ innings and allowed a run on four hits, but struck out four and walked three against the Yankees. His career against the Rays has been a bag of mixed results as he nearly no-hit them back in 2012;

Here's how his appearance against the Rays have gone

Here's how he's done against each individual batter. Be inspired.

Matt Andriese vs Daniel Norris, Tuesday at 7:07

Matt Andriese made his major league debut during Friday's dramatic game with Miami, pitching a scoreless inning. He'll make his first professional start Tuesday night.

Daniel Norris, the other pride of Johnson City, made his season debut last Sunday allowing three runs on six hits in 5+ innings, striking out five and walking two. Here's what Baseball America had to say about the rookie pitcher after he was called up last September,

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Norris has good downhill plane and late life to his fastball and a great finish, so that his 92 mph seems more like 96. His slider rates average to plus and his changeup flashes plus.

It will be the first time that either club has faced either pitcher.

Erasmo Ramirez? vs Mark Buehrle, Wednesday at 7:07

Erasmo Ramirez, although a starter hasn't been named yet for Wednesday, Ramirez is the most likely player to get the start. He made a very good appearance in the team's final spring training game, but that wouldn't correlate to his first appearance of the regular season, allowing seven runs in only two innings.

He's only faced five current Blue Jays and Josh Donaldson is the only player to have more than four at bats against Ramirez.

Mark Buehrle became the fourth active pitcher to win 200 games as he beat the Orioles going six innings and allowing two runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking two. He has faced the Rays numerous times during his, now 15 year career.

It's entirely possible Erasmo is passed over for a minor league call up, as those will be allowed for optioned players by the fifth starter's slot. For now, however, there have not been any indications the Rays will.

Chris Archer vs Aaron Sanchez, Thursday at 7:07

Chris Archer is coming off a dominant start against the Marlins where he was (questionably) pulled early as went seven shutout innings, but was taken out of the game after 84 pitches. Over his career against the Jays, Jose Reyes has done the best against the young Archer.

Aaron Sanchez spent last year being a useful reliever in the Jays pen, but he was converted to a starter during spring training. Unfortunately, his starting debut didn't last long as he only went 3+ innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Brandon Guyer is the only Ray to record a hit against Sanchez.