Game Notes: Odorizzi on the bump as Rays begin second half

Entering the All Star break after completing a three game sweep of the Houston Astros,  the Tampa Bay Rays begin the second half of the season one game above .500 and three and a half games behind the first-place New York Yankees. With 71 games remaining on their schedule, the Rays have more than enough time to make a playoff push in the neck and neck horse race that is the American League East.

In tonight's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, Jake Odorizzi looks to continue the Rays' winning streak as he makes his second start since returning from the disabled list. In his first appearance off of the shelf against the Astros on July 11, the right hander continued his breakout season exactly where he left off. In 5 ⅔ innings of work, Odorizzi surrendered two hits, allowed three walks, and did not give up a single run, paving the way to a Rays' shutout victory.

Although Odorizzi has found limited success against right handed hitters this season (don't let the .180 average fool you as Odorizzi has posted a 4.68 FIP and 4.84 xFIP against righties), the 25-year-old has found an abundance of success against the righty-dominated Blue Jays lineup. Tonight's starting lineup for the Blue Jays has combined for a total of five hits in 48 at-bats (.104) against Odorizzi, as no batter has more than one hit individually.

The Blue Jays will send Drew Hutchison to the mound in tonight's game.

First pitch is at 7:07

The Book on Drew Hutchison

In his second full season for the Toronto Blue Jays, there has been no place like home for the 24-year-old Drew Hutchison.

In his first eight home starts of the 2015 season, the right hander has posted a 2.12 ERA and a 2.39 FIP over the course of 51 innings. He has limited opposing batters to a triple slash of .218/.267/.290 and has a strikeout rate of nearly 25%.

Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Hutchison has made eleven starts on the road. And my goodness have they been bad. In 47 innings, Hutchison has allowed 74 hits and walked 19 batters. Opposing hitters are slashing an un-godly .363/.427/.583 as Hutchison has posted an 8.81 ERA (highest in baseball) and 5.01 FIP.

Fortunately for Hutchison, the Blue Jays, and Blue Jays' fans, tonight's game is in Toronto.

Here's a look at his arsenal in 2015: