As Kevin Gausman nears the conclusion of his 13th MLB season, he finds himself riding a string of outstanding starts against three playoff teams in the Astros, Yankees, and Brewers. His most recent start was a complete game shutout against the Astros last week, an outing in which he allowed just two hits and one walk with just 100 pitches.

On Wednesday, Gausman has a chance to clinch a road series win for the Blue Jays over the Rays with his 30th start of the year, a feat he’s accomplished every year since 2021. He’s posted a 10-10 record this season with a 3.44 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9. His WHIP, along with his 171 strikeouts and 15 quality starts, are all within the top 10 in the American League.

Gausman has made one start against the Rays this season, giving up six earned runs and three home runs in a losing effort on May 15th. Two of those home runs were given up to Brandon Lowe and Josh Lowe, who are both out of Tampa Bay’s starting lineup tonight.

Near the top of Gausman’s challenges tonight will be getting Yandy Díaz out. Díaz has started this series 5-for-7 with two walks, a double, and an RBI, and he also owns a career 6-for-20 mark against Gausman with a homer. Outside of Díaz, Brandon Lowe is the only other hitter with more than five career at-bats against Gausman, but the aforementioned home run and a triple in 2022 are all he’s been able to muster against the veteran righty.

Tampa Bay will be sending out rookie left-hander Ian Seymour to the mound tonight to face the Blue Jays for the first time in his young major league career. Seymour was drafted by the Rays back in 2020, and after over four seasons in their farm system, he has a spot on Tampa’s pitching staff to conclude this season.

Seymour started as a reliever, whether it was short relief or bulk, but three of his last four appearances have been starts. In total, he’s pitching to a 2.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 11.0 K/9 with a 3.0 BB/9. He’s been effective in his three starts, posting a 1.76 ERA, 21 strikeouts, and four walks over 15 1/3 innings.

The Rays’ starter is not overpowering with velocity, as his fastball sits in the low-90s. However, he pairs that with his changeup, which he throws almost as frequently, generating a 35.5% whiff rate and a .183 batting average. While this will be his first time facing the Blue Jays, he did face the Buffalo Bisons earlier this season in a Triple-A affair. Addison Barger was in the lineup for that game, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout against Seymour.

As a team, the Blue Jays are slashing .270/.344/.422 against lefties this season, with Vladimir Guerrero  Jr. (6 HR, .341 avg., 1.002 OPS), Ernie Clement (6 HR, .329 avg., .914 OPS), and George Springer (8 HR, .245 avg., .843 OPS) being some of the main contributors to that success.

A lefty on the mound shuffles up the Blue Jays lineup from where it has been to start this series, starting with Davis Schneider hitting second and playing second base. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Ernie Clement, and Ty France round out the infield, meaning Guerrero Jr. will DH.

Barger, the only lefty in the lineup, will bat sixth and play right field next to Myles Straw and Springer.

Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field – Tampa, FL

First Pitch: 7:05 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 10-10 record, 3.44 ERA, 177 2/3 IP, 171 SO, 45 BB

Tampa Bay Rays – Ian Seymour: 3-2 record, 2.95 ERA, 42 2/3 IP, 52 SO, 14 BB