Toronto Blue Jays (31-23) At Tampa Bay Devil Rays (22-34)

In an effort to make sure the rest of the American League East does not overlook the league's lone Canadian representative, the Toronto Blue Jays shoot for their fifth win in the last six outings this afternoon as they close out a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.
Toronto has been one of the hottest teams in the division over the last couple of weeks, posting a record of 8-3 since May 22 and is now just two games out of first in the AL East as a result.
On Saturday former Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay threw eight strong innings in picking up his sixth straight decision in a 6-2 triumph on the road.
Halladay surrendered five hits and two runs, striking out a batter without issuing a walk. He's unbeaten in his last nine outings, with his only loss this season coming on April 9 at home to these same Devil Rays.
Alex Rios went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs, while Frank Catalanotto doubled twice and had two RBI for the Blue Jays, now an even 12-12 on the road. Shea Hillenbrand homered for Toronto.
Mark Hendrickson was tagged with the defeat as the left-hander allowed eight hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings to drop his third consecutive start.
Ty Wigginton connected on a solo homer for the Devil Rays, who have lost eight of their last nine games, are just 12-13 at home and are now 12 games out of contention in the standings.
Left-hander Gustavo Chacin gets the call to the hill for the Blue Jays this afternoon as he tries to keep his unblemished career mark (3-0) against Tampa Bay intact.
Chacin last took the mound on Tuesday when he allowed two earned runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out just one over five innings. While his control may not have been there, Chacin still managed to pick up the victory and move to 6-1 on the campaign.
The victory over Boston was a triumphant return to action for Chacin, who had been on the disabled list with a strained elbow and forearm since May 10.
As for the Devil Rays, they have Doug Waechter slated to start today, the right-hander still in search of his first victory of the season.
Now in his fourth year in the majors, Waechter was saddled with his second straight loss on Tuesday when he gave up five runs on five hits, over the same number of innings against Baltimore on the road.
Waechter has struggled with his control thus far, issuing 18 bases-on-balls, against just 19 strikeouts, which has contributed mightily to his 6.70 ERA this season.
Waechter, who failed to earn a decision in his first appearance this year against Toronto, is 2-3 with a 6.12 ERA all-time versus the visitors.
Wigginton is hitting .320 over his last six games and has five RBI and three runs scored to show for his efforts for the Devil Rays. Carl Crawford, who missed Saturday's game with a knee strain and is questionable for today's meeting, has six RBI in his last four games.
Over the last week the Blue Jays have been one of the hottest hitting teams in the league, batting .332 with a slugging percentage of .599 thanks to 14 home runs. Vernon Wells, who is battling back from a shoulder injury, has four of those home runs, while Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay check in with three apiece.
The Devil Rays are still 35-34 all-time against Toronto at Tropicana Field. The Jays are now 7-4 versus Tampa Bay this season, winning six of the last seven contests.