The Toronto Blue Jays will return home for a six-game homestand to end the month of August.
Toronto will begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Then, the Seattle Mariners come to town for a three-game weekend series, in what is a pivotal series for the AL Wild Card chase.
The Blue Jays have been playing better as of late, but enter their series against the Royals 1.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. So, Toronto will have to play well down the stretch to try to get back into the playoffs.
Blue Jays Starters vs. Royals
GettyBlue Jays announce starters for Royals series.
Toronto has an off day on Monday before beginning their series against the Royals on Tuesday.
In the series opener on Tuesday, the Blue Jays will give the ball to right-hander Max Scherzer. Kansas City, meanwhile, will start right-hander Seth Lugo.
Scherzer is 1-6 with a 7.40 ERA this season as he’s struggled and dealt with injuries. Lugo, meanwhile, is 5-7 with a 4.71 ERA.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays will then turn to right-hander Shane Bieber, while the Royals will give the ball to right-hander Randy Dobnak.
Bieber is 5-2 with a 4.53 ERA and is coming off a stellar outing as he went 7 innings, allowing 1 run against the Tampa Bay Rays while striking out 7. Dobnak, meanwhile, is 2-1 with a 1.58 ERA in 9 games, including 7 starts.
In the series finale on Thursday, Toronto hasn’t announced who will start, but it could be another bullpen game with Spencer Arrighetti getting the bulk of the innings. Or, if Toronto wants to keep ace right-hander Dylan Cease on five days’ rest, he could start Thursday.
Kansas City, meanwhile, will be turning to left-hander Noah Cameron in the series finale, who’s 8-8 with a 4.02 ERA this season.
Toronto Battling for Playoff Spot
The Blue Jays are coming off a series loss to the New York Yankees over the weekend.
Toronto is 1.5 games back of a Wild Card spot and is firmly in the playoff mix. The Blue Jays had a chance to win another series on Sunday, but they were blown out by the Yankees, as Jose Soriano struggled in his final inning.
“Just some walks and deep counts, really, but I think his stuff was good,” Blue Jays manager Schneider said. “It’s just about being in the zone a bit more against this team. They had some good at-bats. I thought he actually got better as he went. In the fifth inning, he was probably as sharp as he’s been. Weird one, just want to be in the zone a little bit more.”
Despite the series loss, Soriano is still confident that the team can go on a playoff run.
“I think we’re in a good position right now,” Soriano said. “If we keep playing good, I think we can make it.”
The Blue Jays are 64-68 and 1.5 games back of a Wild Card spot.
Blue Jays Announce Starting Pitchers for Pivotal Series Against Royals