Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton (back) is expected to come off the disabled list by Friday, and there’s a chance he could be available for Thursday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. The Rays didn’t miss him Wednesday when they broke out for a season-high 12 runs, capped by Luke Scott’s third career grand slam.

The Toronto Blue Jays have lost eight of their last 11 games against Tampa Bay, but they opened the current three-game series with a 7-3 victory when Jose Bautista, Adam Lind and Brett Lawrie homered and Evan Longoria committed three errors. The Rays answered on Wednesday with four home runs in their 12-2 win, including a two-run shot by Ben Zobrist, who was moved up to the No. 2 spot in the order by manager Joe Maddon.

Rays Blue Jays Betting

When: 7:07 PM ET, Thursday, April 19, 2012
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 3.29 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Henderson Alvarez (0-0, 2.77 ERA)

CLICK HERE to Bet on MLB Baseball at Bovada

After throwing 8 2/3 shutout innings against the Yankees in his season debut, Hellickson gave up five runs over five innings in last Saturday’s 13-5 loss to Boston. He has just five strikeouts in his first 13 2/3 innings, and his fly-ball rate of 53.3 ranks among the majors’ highest.

Alvarez is winless despite turning in two quality starts to open the season. He gave up three runs over seven innings against the Orioles last Saturday, throwing 60 of his 97 pitches for strikes. Longoria has two home runs in three at-bats against Alvarez, who turned 22 on Wednesday.

WALK-OFFS: CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

1. Rays left fielder Matt Joyce is 5-for-9 with two homers and two doubles in his last two games.

2. The Blue Jays will need a fifth starter for the first time on Saturday, and the leading candidates are Double-A right-hander Drew Hutchison and Triple-A righty Jesse Chavez.

3. Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar tied his career-best with four hits on Wednesday, all singles.