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Rays-Blue Jays Friday preview; Gary Busey in town

 
Published April 29, 2016

Now pitching … Chet 'Rocket' Steadman

Gary Busey played washed-up pitcher Chet "Rocket" Steadman in the 1993 film Rookie of the Year and has appeared in other sports movies, including Slap Shot 2 and Point Break. He will be on the mound tonight at the Trop to throw out the first pitch, in town for the Sunscreen Film Festival, which includes a 3:15 p.m. Saturday showing at SunDial of his new psychological thriller, CandiLand. Tickets are $8, and Busey will do a Q&A afterward moderated by Times film critic Steve Persall.

Archer's abacus

RHP Chris Archer takes the mound Saturday ranking among the MLB leaders with 39 strikeouts, and fans attending the game will be able to keep track as the Rays are giving away a K-Counter bobblehead. Archer said he liked the interactive feature and the overall look: "It's a nice little giveaway."

Quote of the day

"It's fun. It's pretty easy, too, just put it in the vicinity and it's going to go a long way."

Kevin Cash, Rays manager, on throwing batting practice to slugger Corey Dickerson

Tonight: vs. Blue Jays

7:10, Tropicana Field

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Sun; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Tickets: $15-275; available at Tropicana Field box office, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; surcharge of up to $5 within five hours of game time

Promotion: $15 lower-level tickets for students

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH Drew Smyly (1-2, 2.51)

Jays: RH Aaron Sanchez (1-1, 3.33)

On Smyly: Coming off solid, seven-inning win over Yankees. Unscored on in 20 of his past 22 innings. Ranks among AL leaders with 33 Ks. Is 1-1, 2.74 in six games vs. Jays but allowed 3 HRs in April 4 game.

On Sanchez: Coming off rough outing vs. A's, allowing 6 runs, 10 hits in 4⅓ innings. Made strong season debut vs. Rays, 1 run over 7 innings. Converted reliever is 0-1, 1.69 in 10 games vs. Rays.

Rays vs. Sanchez

Logan Forsythe 2-for-8

Desmond Jennings 1-for-7

Evan Longoria 1-for-11

Steven Souza Jr. 0-for-6

Jays vs. Smyly

Jose Bautista 1-for-7

Josh Donaldson 6-for-11 2 HR

Edwin Encarnacion 2-for-7

Michael Saunders 2-for-3 HR

On deck

Saturday: vs. Jays, 6.10. Rays — RH Chris Archer (1-4, 5.47); Jays — LH J.A. Happ (3-0, 2.42)

Sunday: vs. Jays, 1:10. Rays — RH Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.58); Jays — RH Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.37)

Monday: Off

Tuesday: vs. Dodgers, 7:10. Rays — LH Matt Moore (1-2, 3.66); Dodgers — LH Scott Kazmir (1-2, 5.76)

Wednesday: vs. Dodgers, 7:10. Rays — LH Drew Smyly (1-2, 2.51); Dodgers — RH Kenta Maeda (3-0, 0.36)

Disabled list

• RHP Brad Boxberger, core muscle surgery, eligible April 18, targeting mid-May

• RHP Alex Cobb, Tommy John surgery, 60-day, eligible June 2, targeting late July

• RHP Chase Whitley, Tommy John surgery, 60-day, eligible June 2, targeting late July

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer