The Tampa Bay Rays will miss the playoffs, but they can still influence the American League East race when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.

The Rays (77-82) will try to avoid having to watch a celebration as they conclude their season with a three-game series against a team attempting to clinch the division title.

"I'm excited for it, and I feel like I've done it for a long time," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, who feels the series will be valuable experience for his young players.

"They're going to be excited, and it's going to be loud. The whole country of Canada is going to be behind them, rightfully so. The Toronto Blue Jays have had a tremendous season."

The Blue Jays (91-68) are tied for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees but hold the tiebreaker.

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