This evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be the first time the Mariners play the Blue Jays since the 2022 Wild Card games. Luckily the Rogers Centre has a roof as rain is forecast for today and the weekend. The Blue Jays have won 16 games and lost 8 this season and are four games behind the American East leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners’ record is now 11 wins and 14 losses.
These are the series the Blue Jays have played to date.
Opponent | W/L | Home/Away |
---|---|---|
Reds | 1 Win / 2 Losses | Away |
Royals | 3 Wins / 1 Loss | Away |
Angels | 2 Wins / 1 Loss | Away |
Detroit | 2 Wins / 1 Loss | Home |
Rays | 2 Wins/ 1 Loss | Home |
Astros | 1 Win / 2 Losses | Away |
Yankees | 2 Wins / 1 Loss | Away |
White Sox | 3 Wins / 0 Losses | Home |
The first game will be a matchup between Luis Castillo and Alek Manoah. Chris Flexen will start on Saturday and Marco Gonzales will take the mound Sunday. The Blue Jays have not made public who will start on the weekend.
The Blue Jays’ starting pitchers include RHP Kevin Gausman (2.84 ERA); LHP Yusei Kikuchi (3.00 ERA); Jose Berrios (4.71 ERA); Chris Bassit (4.82 ERA); and Alek Manoah (5.13 ERA). Former Mariner Erik Swanson is in the bullpen, and it will be fun to see Kikuchi if he starts.
Likely Blue Jay Lineup
Matt Chapman (3B) .364 BA
Bo Bichette (SS) .340
Vladimir Guerrero (1B) .333
Whit Merrifield (LF) ,313
Kevin Kiermaier (CF) .299
Alejandro Kirk (C) .226
George Springer (RF) .216 may have a hand injury
Daulton Varsho (LF) .198
Brandon Belt (DH) .189
Santiago Espinal (2B) .198
Toronto is a team like Philadelphia that has strong bats, so the Mariners are going to need to hit well. Overall, the Mariners’ pitching has greater depth than the Blue Jays, so they will help lessen the runs. The difference between winning and losing, however, will likely come down to how many runs the Mariners can score.
Go Mariners!