This is what it was supposed to look like. This is the version of the Rays that could contend in September. Not overpowering. Not terribly sexy. Just good starting pitching, excellent defense and enough versatility in the lineup to sneak past opponents with bigger payrolls and better name recognition.

Brandon Lowe and Curtis Mead homered for the second straight game and Drew Rasmussen tossed six scoreless innings, lifting the host Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 series-opening victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.