The Toronto Blue Jays have a chance to do something they haven’t done in 30 years in the series finale against the Athletics.
On Sunday, the Jays host the Athletics for the final game of the three-game series. There have already been a few new records set by the team. Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease both struck out 11 or more batters in the first two games, the first time a pair of teammates have done that in the first two games since at least 1901, potentially ever. Cease’s 12 strikeouts on Saturday were the most in any Blue Jays’ debut.
So, what could they do that they haven’t done in 30 years? Well, with a win, the Jays will move to 3-0 to begin the season. That’s right, they haven’t done that since 1996, which was only the second time they had done it. The other time was in 1992, when they began the season 6-0.
Since joining Major League Baseball in 1977, the Blue Jays are 2-12 in the third game when they start the season 2-0. Since 1997, they’ve started the season 2-0 eight separate times, going 0-8. The most recent time was in 2022, when they lost 12-6 to the Texas Rangers. That said, who’ll be in the lineup for them on Sunday?
Eric Lauer makes his season debut after posting a 3.18 ERA and 3.85 FIP in 104.2 innings pitched in 2025. Before the season began, Lauer was projected to pitch out of the bullpen, but injuries to Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and José Berríos requires the lefty to start, at least for now. The Athletics have right-handed pitcher Luis Morales on the mound.
That means the Blue Jays have an influx of left-handed hitters in the lineup this afternoon. Jesús Sánchez makes his first start as a Blue Jay, hitting in the two hole. Addison Barger returns to the cleanup spot after starting on the bench in Saturday’s 8-7 victory. Daulton Varsho bats sixth again, while Andrés Giménez hits eighth.
Other lineup changes include Tyler Heineman, as the backup catcher will make his season debut and hit ninth. Kazuma Okamoto bats fifth, the third different spot in the lineup he’s hit in the three games. With Alejandro Kirk out of the lineup, Ernie Clement (and Giménez) move up a spot, with Saturday’s hero hitting seventh. George Springer leads off and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bats third.
Let’s set up Sunday’s series finale!
Location: Toronto
First Pitch: 1:37 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – Eric Lauer: 0-0 record, 0 ERA, 0 IP, 0 SO, 0 BB
Athletics – Luis Morales: 0-0 record, 0 ERA, 0 IP, 0 SO, 0 BB
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – DH
- Jesús Sánchez – LF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Addison Barger – RF
- Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
- Daulton Varsho – CF
- Ernie Clement – 2B
- Andrés Giménez – SS
- Tyler Heineman – C
Athletics:
- Shea Langeliers – DH
- Nick Kurtz – 1B
- Brent Rooker – RF
- Tyler Soderstrom – LF
- Jacob Wilson – SS
- Max Muncy – 3B
- Darell Hernaiz – 2B
- Austin Wynns – C
- Denzel Clarke – CF
