On Friday night, the Toronto Blue Jays will begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Most recently, the Blue Jays won the series finale 5-1 over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
Brandon Valenzuela came off the bench and went 1-for-1 with a double and a walk during the win.
Toronto Blue Jays Announce Brandon Valenzuela Decision
Ahead of the series opener, the Toronto Blue Jays announced their starting lineup.
B. Bateman CF N. Lukes RF A. Kirk C J. Sánchez DH E. Clement SS K. Okamoto 3B B. Valenzuela 1B C. McAdoo 2B M. Straw LF
M. Fluharty SP
Underdog MLB posted on X: “Blue Jays 8/21 B. Bateman CF N. Lukes RF A. Kirk C J. Sánchez DH E. Clement SS K. Okamoto 3B B. Valenzuela 1B C. McAdoo 2B M. Straw LF M. Fluharty SP”
After coming off the bench and playing first base, Brandon Valenzuela is in the starting lineup where he will bat seventh and play first base. It will mark Valenzuela’s fourth time playing first base this season. However, Friday’s game will be the first time Valenzuela has appeared as the team’s starting first baseman.
The move was done after Kazuma Okamoto moved back to third base. Meanwhile, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains out with an injury.
Valenzuela, who has primarily played catcher this season, is batting .229 with 47 hits, eight doubles, eight home runs, 25 runs, 21 RBIs and one stolen base in 75 games.
He was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Padres last season.
Blue Jays Right Now
After winning two out of three against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays improved to 63-66. Toronto has gone 7-3 over their last 10 games. They are now only 0.5 games behind the third Wild Card spot in the American League.
Left-hander Mason Fluharty is set to serve as Toronto’s opener on Friday, while Spencer Arrighetti is expected to follow in bulk relief. It will mark Arrighetti’s first appearance with the Blue Jays, after a midseason trade. Arrighetti enters Friday’s game with a 7-5 record and a 4.60 ERA in 88 innings this season.
Yankees Right Now
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have also announced their starting lineup for Friday’s series opener.
P. Goldschmidt 1B A. Rosario 3B H. Ramos LF B. Rice DH G. Lombard Jr. SS T. Grisham CF S. Jones RF J. Caballero 2B A. Sánchez C
C. Schlittler SP
Underdog MLB posted on X: “Yankees 8/21 P. Goldschmidt 1B A. Rosario 3B H. Ramos LF B. Rice DH G. Lombard Jr. SS T. Grisham CF S. Jones RF J. Caballero 2B A. Sánchez C C. Schlittler SP”
The Yankees have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. At 72-55 they currently hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League. New York is four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.
Toronto Blue Jays Announce Brandon Valenzuela Decision Before Yankees Series