The Jays' expansion cousins are here for the weekend.

It's the Texas Rangers, tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday afternoon. And that means a few familiar faces.

They're evil, they're imperial, they're coming to town.

The road trip (5-2 so far!) concludes in Florida.

The new and dis-improved Jays head into Baltimore for another battle of the de-fledged birds. The newest Jay, and Ross Atkins fanboy, Derek Fisher will be on hand as will Trent Thornton and Jason Adam. Adam, who was in the majors with kansas City last season, has pitched in eight games for Buffalo.

Since beating up the Orioles right after the all-star break, the Rays have lost three straight series versus the Yankees, Red Sox and White Sox. The Rays looked like they were headed for a wild card spot but now find themselves on the outside. The Rays have lost Kevin Kiermaier, Blake Snell and Yandy Diaz over the last week. The Jays will not miss facing Snell, and Kiermaier always seems to play well against the Jays. The Jays come off an off day and will navigate "maximum rumour weekend" (tm).

The Jays will try and win a series against a good team with three at home against the Clevelanders. They start the series with a roster move. Trent Thornton to the IL with elbow inflammation, Ryan Borucki activated.

The #BlueJays continue their road trip with a stop in Beantown. #LetsGoBlueJays

Jim Bouton's playing career was not without accomplishment.

It's the battle of the birds as the final match-up before the all-star break. Baltimore are in first place for the number one pick next season with their 25-61 record. The Blue Jays are a full seven games better, in fourth. Your Blue Jays have been playing better but there are some enforced changes for this weekend. Marcus Stroman will not pitch before the break, resting his "cramp" that's obviously was not a cramp. The enigma, wrapped in a riddle that is Aaron Sanchez will pitch tonight, who knows what that will bring.

I know, it's four weeks away.

The Jays take their good, Royals level, form against the jet-lagged Red Sox. Can the Jays hitters continue their good hitting against the three big Red Sox starters? Will the Red Sox have any carry-over from their London trip? Maybe they will get sleepy in the middle innings, it will be bed time in London at game time.

Its a long weekend, four game, battle at the bottom with the teams with the third and fourth fewest wins in baseball battling it out for draft pick order. For the Jays Justin Smoak is back and Billy McKinney is gone, to Buffalo we assume.