GDB 155.0: Hyun Jin Ryu looks to lead Blue Jays to series victory over the Rays

After beating the Rays by a score of 6-2 on Friday, the Blue Jays have an opportunity to clinch their first series win in Tampa Bay since April of 2021.

Hyun Jin Ryu will take the mound for the Blue Jays while the Rays send swingman Zack Littell to the bump.

This will be Ryu’s first start against Tampa since coming back from Tommy John surgery. The lefty has gone up against the Rays five times in his career, all as a member of the Blue Jays, and owns a 2.55 ERA across 24 2/3 innings against them.

Littell, meanwhile, has never faced the Blue Jays as a starter. His lone appearance against Toronto came as a reliever back in May when he allowed two earned runs in the ninth inning of a 6-4 Tampa win. The righty has a 3.94 ERA across 80 innings for the Rays since they claimed him off of waivers a few weeks into the season.

The Rays also made a transaction ahead of this game, as they placed infielder Brandon Lowe on the Injured List and called up former Blue Jay Raimel Tapia from Triple-A in his place. Tampa is Tapia’s third team of the season. He also suited up for the Red Sox and Brewers before joining the Rays as a minor-league free agent.

First pitch: 4:10 p.m EST — Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650.

Toronto Blue Jays: 86-68, 9.0 GB, +1.0 WCGB, +73 DIFF.

Tampa Bay Rays: 94-61, 1.5 GB, +8.5 WCGB, +192 DIFF.

Moneyline: TOR -105, NYY -114.

*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds are subject to change.

TOR: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu — 3-3, 2.62 ERA, 9 GS, 44 2/3 IP, 35 SO, 1.119 WHIP.

TBR: RHP Zack Littell — 3-6, 4.12 ERA, 24 G, 13 GS, 83 IP, 67 SO, 1.145 WHIP.

TOR: George Springer DH, Bo Bichette SS, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B, Cavan Biggio RF, Matt Chapman 3B, Daulton Varsho LF, Davis Schneider 2B, Kevin Kiermaier CF, Tyler Heineman C.

TBR: Yandy Diaz 1B, Harold Ramirez LF, Curtis Mead 3B, Isaac Parades 2B, Junior Caminero DH, Josh Lowe RF, Manuel Margot CF, Christian Bethancourt, Taylor Walls SS.