Athletics vs Blue Jays: Opening Day Starting Lineup - Series Preview

Tonight the Toronto Blue Jays will be raising the banner for their 2025 American League Championship, part of celebrations that will stretch through the first homestand against the A’s and Rockies.

Opening Day starter Kevin Gausman (10-11, 3.59 ERA in 2025) is on the bump versus Athletics veteran right-hander Luis Severino (8-11, 4.54 ERA in 2025). First pitch is at 7:07 PM ET on Sportsnet, with the radio call available on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

Finally, after four excellent seasons with the Blue Jays, Kevin Gausman gets the nod on Opening Day.

He’s taken the ball for both the Orioles and Giants on Opening Day earlier in his career, but this time marks the final year of his five-year, $110 million deal with the Blue Jays.

Fresh off a strong performance in the Blue Jays’ 2025 postseason run, Gausman is deserving in every way.

Luis Severino, fresh off pitching for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic this spring, takes the mound for the A’s on Opening Day.

The 2025 season was a tale of two halves for the right-hander, who posted a 5.16 ERA over the first half before finishing 6-0 with a 3.10 ERA over his final nine starts of the year.

That second-half version of Severino is what the A’s are hoping to get for the entirety of ‘26, which would certainly bode well for their playoff aspirations.

Jeff Hoffman is back as the Blue Jays’ undisputed closer, but the setup group in front of him will look a bit different in 2026 after they added submarine righty Tyler Rogers, a rubber arm who is certain to lead this bullpen in appearances.

Louis Varland and Brendon Little round out that back-end group, and while the Blue Jays’ depth beyond that could still develop as the season rolls on, the foundation is strong.

The A’s plan to continue going closer by committee, an approach that was highly successful over the second half of 2025 following the trade of All-Star closer Mason Miller to the Padres.

Newcomer Scott Barlow brings the most experience closing games of anyone currently in the bullpen, and he should be part of a late-inning formula that includes other high-leverage relievers such as Elvis Alvarado, Mark Leiter Jr. and Michael Kelly. Luis Medina and J.T. Ginn both have experience starting and could provide long relief when needed.

This will be the first Opening Day without the great Buck Martinez on the broadcast.

Martinez retired just prior to Spring Training after spending nearly 45 years as a player, manager and broadcaster with the Blue Jays.

Later this season, he will be inducted into the Blue Jays’ Hall of Excellence.

The game will be broadcast across Canada on Sportsnet, with the radio call available on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

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