GDB 154.0: Blue Jays open weekend series in Tampa

Photo credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays will wrap up their final road trip of 2024 where they began the season: Tampa Bay. The Rays will host a three-game weekend series at Tropicana Field and then the Blue Jays will head home to finish the season off in Toronto next week.
The season series between the two teams favours the Rays at six wins to four. The Blue Jays and Rays split a four-game series in Tampa back in March, the Rays took two games in both of the series played in Toronto, and this will be the final meeting between the two clubs this season.
Starting for the Blue Jays on Friday will be right-hander José Berríos, who’s looking to extend his personal winning streak to eight games. Over his last seven starts, Berríos has posted a 1.51 ERA over 47 2/3 innings. For the season, he has a 3.44 ERA over 183 1/3 innings.
Going for the Rays will be lefty Tyler Alexander, who has made three appearances against the Blue Jays this season. He allowed five runs in five innings in a loss against Blue Jays back in March, he carried a n0-hitter into the eighth inning in Toronto in May, and he pitched three shutout frames following an opener in a win in July. Over 98 1/3 innings thrown this season as a starter and reliever, Alexander owns a 5.58 ERA.
Location: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
First Pitch: 6:50 PM ET
Watch: Sportsnet, TVA Sports, Bally Sports Sun
Listen: SN590, SN APP, WDAE 620, WQBN 1300
Starting Pitchers
Toronto — RHP José Berríos: 16-9 record, 3.44 ERA, 183 1/3 IP, 143 SO, 50 BB.
Tampa Bay — LHP Tyler Alexander: 6-5 record, 5.58 ERA, 98 1/3 IP, 78 SO, 23 BB.
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – RF
- Ernie Clement – SS
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Spencer Horwitz – DH
- Davis Schneider – LF
- Leo Jimenez – 2B
- Luis De Los Santos – 3B
- Jonatan Clase – CF
Rays:
- Yandy Diaz – 1B
- Brandon Lowe – DH
- Junior Caminero – 3B
- Jonathan Aranda – 2B
- Jonny DeLuca – CF
- Josh Lowe – RF
- Christopher Morel – LF
- Logan Driscoll – C
- Jose Caballero – SS
Breaking News
- Brandon Valenzuela was called up as an injury replacement for Alejandro Kirk and stuck around all season
- Blue Jays Arizona Fall League check-in: Jake Cook and Aaron Parker keep notching hits
- Blue Jays free agent target: Randal Grichuk
- Blue Jays: Examining Myles Straw’s contract options this offseason
- 3 Blue Jays who appeared for the club in 2026 listed on The Athletic’s Top 40 MLB free agents board
