The Toronto Blue Jays are set to conclude their regular season with a crucial series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Having already secured a postseason spot, the Blue Jays are now vying for the American League East title. The matchup against the Rays is particularly significant, as Tampa Bay has historically posed challenges for Toronto. In their recent four-game series in Florida, the Rays limited the Blue Jays to just nine runs, with Toronto scoring six of those runs in a single game.

The Blue Jays are looking to break out of a recent offensive slump against a team that has won seven of their ten encounters this season, averaging only 2.6 runs per game against them. Toronto missed right-hander Adrian Houser during last week’s split, but he has faced them twice this season while with the Chicago White Sox. Houser, who will pitch against Shane Bieber on Friday, has a 2.03 ERA against the Blue Jays. In one of his previous starts, he had to leave the field to vomit between innings.

Bieber, who was initially scheduled to pitch against Boston, was pushed back to Friday to allow for extra rest as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Rays will also send out two strong pitchers, Joe Boyle and rookie Ian Seymour, who combined to allow just one unearned run over 13 innings against the Blue Jays last week.

This series will mark the home debut of 22-year-old right-hander Trey Yesavage, who made headlines by striking out nine Rays in his first major league appearance, setting a club record. However, he struggled in his next outing, allowing four runs on five hits in four-plus innings against Kansas City. Despite the challenges, the Blue Jays managed to clinch a playoff spot, achieving only two wins in their last eight games.

The Rays enter this series after a 6-5 loss to Baltimore, marking their third game in a row without a series win since sweeping Seattle earlier this month. Notably, first baseman Yandy Diaz, who excelled against the Blue Jays last week with a .583 batting average and a 1.389 OPS, was removed from Thursday’s game due to groin tightness.

The series schedule is as follows: - **Friday**: 7:07 p.m. on Apple TV+ - RH Shane Bieber (3-2, 3.57) vs. RH Adrian Houser (8-4, 3.18) - **Saturday**: 3:07 p.m. on Sportsnet - RH Trey Yesavage (0-0, 5.00) vs. RH Joe Boyle (1-3, 4.40) - **Sunday**: 3:07 p.m. on Sportsnet - RH Kevin Gausman (10-11, 3.47) vs. LH Ian Seymour (4-2, 2.85) *Note: Gausman may not start if the Blue Jays have already clinched the division.

Looking ahead, the outcome of this series will determine the Blue Jays' playoff path. Depending on their performance and the results of the Yankees' series against Baltimore, Toronto could secure the AL East title by Sunday, allowing them five days off before the American League Division Series. Alternatively, they may prepare for a wild-card series starting Tuesday against teams like Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, or Houston.