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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto April 19, 2012. REUTERS/Mike CasseseMike Cassese/Reuters

The Toronto Blue Jays will begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa on Monday.

Pitching matchups

Monday: Tampa RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-0, 2.77 earned-run average) vs. Toronto RHP Kyle Drabek (3-4, 3.30).

Tuesday: Tampa LHP Matt Moore (1-4, 5.20) vs. Toronto RHP Drew Hutchison (3-1, 4.81)

Wednesday: Tampa RHP James Shields (6-2, 3.77) vs. Toronto LHP Ricky Romero (5-1, 3.64).

Need to know

This will be the third series the Blue Jays will play against the Rays this season. Tampa swept a two-game set in Toronto last week and has won four of five overall. Toronto will need better production overall from the top of the batting order to have a chance. Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar and Jose Bautista have hit a combined .200 (12-for-60) in those contests.

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