Blue Jays vs Braves: Starting Lineup - Game Preview
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays make their way to CoolToday Park in North Port Florida to take on the Atlanta Braves in their first meeting of 2026 Spring Training.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a change to their pitching plan for today's spring-training game against the Atlanta Braves.
After originally scheduling Dylan Cease to start the game on the mound, the Blue Jays will have Eric Lauer take the ball to open on the road against the Braves.
Blue Jays veteran left-hander Eric Lauer will take the bump versus Braves ace Chris Sale. First Pitch 1:05 PM ET on Sportsnet and MLB Network.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup
1. CF Myles Straw
2. 3B Addison Barger
3. 2B Davis Schneider
4. RF Jesus Sanchez
5. C Tyler Heineman
6. DH Eloy Jimenez
7. LF Jonatan Clase
8. SS Arjun Nimmala
9. 1B Sean Keys
SP Eric Lauer
2. 3B Addison Barger
3. 2B Davis Schneider
4. RF Jesus Sanchez
5. C Tyler Heineman
6. DH Eloy Jimenez
7. LF Jonatan Clase
8. SS Arjun Nimmala
9. 1B Sean Keys
SP Eric Lauer
Starting pitcher overview
It will mark the third outing of spring for the left-handed Lauer. He last pitched on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing three runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of work.
Lauer is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he served as an important piece of Toronto's pitching staff. The 30-year-old posted a 3.18 ERA over 104.2 innings while striking out 102 batters.
Chris Sale and Spencer Strider are both expected to pitch for Atlanta against the Blue Jays.
The veteran lefty has enjoyed a career renaissance with the Braves, including a Cy Young Award win in 2024.
Sale, 36, followed it up with another strong year last season, when he appeared in 21 games with a 2.58 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
Spencer Strider made his Grapefruit League season debut in the Braves' 7-5 win over Orioles on Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium.
He is expected to follow Sale in todays contest.
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MARS 5|47 ANSWERS Blue Jays vs Braves: Starting Lineup - Game Preview Who will win today's contest between the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves? | ||
| Toronto Blue Jays | 25 | 53.2 % |
| Atlanta Braves | 22 | 46.8 % |
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