Preview: Rays Host Blue Jays in Wednesday Matinee ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field, aiming for a three-game sweep. First pitch is scheduled for early afternoon under partly cloudy skies, with a game-time temperature of 85 degrees. The Rays (23-12) enter with the American League’s third-best record, having won their last two games against Toronto by scores of 5-1 and 4-3. Tampa Bay’s starting rotation has been a strength, led by right-hander Drew Rasmussen (4-1, 2.84 ERA), who is slated to start Wednesday. Rasmussen threw six innings in Tuesday’s 4-3 win, allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out five. Over his last four starts, he has a 2.86 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. Toronto (16-20) has dropped three straight and five of its last six. The Blue Jays are expected to start left-hander Shane McClanahan (3-2, 3.28 ERA). McClanahan has been inconsistent but threw six scoreless innings in his most recent outing against Minnesota on April 30, allowing four hits and striking out two in a 1-7 loss. He has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in four of his seven starts. Players to Watch Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman is a notable contributor despite not starting Wednesday. Gausman threw six innings in Tuesday’s loss, allowing six hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. Over his last five starts, spanning 29 1/3 innings, he has a 3.07 ERA with 17 strikeouts. Rasmussen, meanwhile, has been Tampa Bay’s most reliable arm. In his last outing, he worked six innings of one-run ball against Minnesota on April 24, scattering five hits and striking out six. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his seven appearances this season. Series & Betting Notes The Rays have outscored Toronto 9-4 in the first two games of this series. The Blue Jays’ offense has managed just three runs over the last two contests, with their only win in the past week coming in an 11-4 victory over Minnesota on May 2. Tampa Bay is a -1.5 run-line favorite, with an over/under of 7.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 Rays victory. Following Wednesday’s game, Tampa Bay travels to Boston for a four-game series beginning Thursday. Toronto returns home to host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.