Blue Jays vs Pirates: Starting Lineup - Series Finale Preview
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The Toronto Blue Jays look to win the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game set at PNC Park.
Max Scherzer pitched six strong innings to notch his 220th career win, and George Springer hit an early two-run home run as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 on Tuesday night.
Today they look to close out this series with a win and head to Miami to face the Marlins on Friday for the much anticipated debut of 2X All-Star Shane Bieber.
Blue Jays veteran Chris Bassitt takes the hill versus Pirates rookie Johan Oviedo. First pitch is at 12:35 PM ET on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
Pitching Matchups and Overview
Chris Bassitt will get back up on the horse as he didn't factor into the decision in his last outing in a 6-5 win over the Rangers, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out four.
The veteran righty got only 57 of his 100 pitches over the plate as he tied his season high in free passes and walked multiple batters for the third straight start.
Bassitt's control and command have slipped since the All-Star break, and he's stumbled to a 5.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB in 25.1 innings over his last five outings while serving up eight homers, including a Kyle Higashioka blast in the second inning Friday.
Pirates interim manager Don Kelly said Tuesday that Johan Oviedo will be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Wednesday against the Blue Jays at PNC Park.
Oviedo should be given a chance to stake claim to a rotation spot for the remainder of the season.
The right-hander lasted only one inning in a start earlier this month against the Giants, which was his first big-league outing since September 2023.
Oviedo has pitched well in two starts at Indianapolis since then, however, yielding four runs (three earned) with a 15:3 K:BB across 8.2 frames.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup
1. DH George Springer
2. 3B Addison Barger
3. SS Bo Bichette
4. C Alejandro Kirk
5. CF Daulton Varsho
6. 1B Ty France
7. RF Nathan Lukes
8. LF Davis Schneider
9. 2B Andres Gimenez
SP Chris Bassitt
2. 3B Addison Barger
3. SS Bo Bichette
4. C Alejandro Kirk
5. CF Daulton Varsho
6. 1B Ty France
7. RF Nathan Lukes
8. LF Davis Schneider
9. 2B Andres Gimenez
SP Chris Bassitt
Blue Jays key players to watch
Bo Bichette leads MLB with 154 hits and has put up 83 runs batted in to lead his team.
George Springer has 18 doubles, a triple, 20 home runs and 51 walks while hitting .290.
Ernie Clement has 24 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 21 walks while hitting .279.
Pirates key players to watch
Bryan Reynolds is batting .244 for Pittsburgh with a team-high 61 RBI.
Andrew McCutchen is batting .241 with an OBP of .327 and a slugging percentage of .373 this season.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa's batting average of .267 leads all Pittsburgh hitters this season.
INJURIES:
Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr, (hamstring) day to day, Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (ankle), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Pirates: Tim Mayza: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Justin Lawrence: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Endy Rodriguez: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Jared Jones: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Enmanuel Valdez: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Oneil Cruz: 7
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