Now they get to face the 7-2 Los Angeles Dodgers. Not exactly ideal.
The 2025 World Series Rematch, so to speak, feels even more tilted in the Dodgers’ favour than last time, and the gap between these two teams right now is absolutely noticeable.
Offensively, the Blue Jays scored just seven runs across three games in Chicago and went a combined 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position. Recently, even when traffic is created on the basepaths, innings are ending without much damage, and that has defined their current stretch.
There is also uncertainty around Addison Barger, among many others, who is dealing with bilateral ankle discomfort after an outstretched step to first base in an attempt to beat the defence on a groundout, leaving him limping off the field yesterday.
On the mound, however, the top of the rotation continues to shine despite being overshadowed by the rest of the team’s issues. Kevin Gausman has dazzled, showing a 0.75 ERA with 21 strikeouts, and Dylan Cease is putting up a 2.79 ERA with 18 strikeouts through their first two starts, giving the Blue Jays exactly what they need at the front end.
Make that TEN Ks for Kevin Gausman
He’s got double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back starts to begin the season ⛽️
The bullpen, along with the rest of the team, may have higher expectations than last year. For the time being, the bullpen is a first-come first-serve affair, where if you’re able to perform, it’s your job to lose. I expect this testament to remain the same through what is perhaps their biggest challenge of the season: this series.
Now, let’s look at the reigning back-to-back champs who need no introduction.
The Los Angeles Dodgers arrive in Toronto once again looking like a powerhouse, and arguably an even stronger one than the group that captured the 2025 World Series in Toronto. Their offseason additions only deepened an already loaded roster, highlighted by the signing of closer Edwin Díaz and outfielder Kyle Tucker.
There is also a familiar face for Blue Jays fans returning this week in Teoscar Hernández, as he continues to be a middle-of-the-order threat, having hit his first home run of 2026 last night against the Nationals.
One player to watch: Andy Pages
What makes Pages particularly dangerous so far is the combination of power and improved discipline. He has cut down on chase rates while consistently making hard contact, cutting his K% from 21.6% to 12.9% from last season.
Andy Pages is hitting .500 through his first 28 ABs this season 🤯
The Blue Jays’ pitching staff is no secret to the longball, giving up the sixth-most in MLB last season. With starters who are known to give up the occasional homer in Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer lined up to start in this series, neutralizing the Dodgers power is going to be crucial, especially while controlling the basepaths better than they have so far, as the Blue Jays have averaged the third-most stolen bases allowed per game this season (1.38).
Quick Hits
- Toronto has struck out at a high rate early, with Kazuma Okamoto tallying 17 strikeouts and George Springer close behind with 13, reflecting the broader offensive inconsistency compared to the 2025 campaign to this point.
- The Dodgers opened their season with a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and are currently among the upper echelon of offensive teams, averaging 5.75 runs per game, the fourth-most in MLB.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP and a name much too familiar to Blue Jays fans, delivered six innings with six strikeouts in his season debut and is expected to be a key factor starting in the middle of the series.
Probable Pitchers
Monday: Max Scherzer vs. Justin Wrobleski
Tuesday: Kevin Gausman vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Wednesday: Dylan Cease vs. Shohei Ohtani
Game Times
Monday: 7:07 PM ET
Tuesday: 7:07 PM ET
Wednesday: 3:07 PM ET