Rays up next: Blue Jays

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Tonight-Sunday

What's new: Since leaving the Trop last week, the Blue Jays traded veterans Matt Stairs and David Eckstein despite remaining on the fringe of the wild-card race. They also brought up RHP Shaun Marcum to rejoin their still-stout pitching staff, which leads the AL in ERA. The Jays head into today's play on a five-game winning streak and 38-27 since Cito Gaston, right, took over as manager. They also had a team-record 15-game (and 136-inning) errorless streak. The problem is an offense that ranks near the bottom in most categories.

Key stat: The Rays' 11 wins against the Jays match their most for any opponent in a single season — Jays and Orioles in 2003, Yankees in 2005, Orioles in 2008.

Connections: Rays Gabe Gross, Eric Hinske and Trever Miller are former Jays; Toronto's Shawn Camp is an ex-Ray, and Jesse Litsch is a Pinellas Park product.

Series history: Rays lead 11-4 this season; Jays lead 96-86 overall and 54-37 at Rogers Centre.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer