Cleveland Guardians vs Toronto Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Opening Game Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays have gone 6-6 at home and 10-14 overall, and the Cleveland Guardians are 14-12 overall and 6-7 on the road.

Blue Jays veteran Max Scherzer will tow the rubber versus Gaurds right-hander Gavin Williams.

First Pitch is at 7:07 PM ET on SN1, Guardians TV, and on Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio.

41 year old Max Scherzer is looking to turn things around after a rough start to his season.

In his last outing he took a no-decision against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out one.

After yielding eight runs his last time out versus the Twins, Scherzer got back on track last weekend with his second quality start of the year and his first since his 2026 debut.

It was also the veteran right-hander's first start of the season that he didn't serve up a home run.

While Scherzer still has an ugly 7.16 ERA through his first 16.1 frames, he does hold a more palatable 1.29 WHIP.

Gavi Williams gets the ball for the Gauards tonight. In his last outing Williams earned the win against the Orioles, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 across seven innings.

Williams set the tone early by striking out four of the first five batters he faced.

He limited the Orioles to just four baserunners, with his lone blemish coming in the fourth inning on a Leody Taveras solo homer. Williams finished strong, however, retiring the last 11 batters he faced.

The right-hander generated a whopping 18 whiffs while tossing 73 strikes on 100 pitches, and it was the second time this season he posted 10-plus strikeouts.

Williams has a 2.12 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 29.2 innings, and his 40 punchouts lead the majors.

Last 10 games: Blue Jays: 4-6, .284 batting average, 4.40 ERA, outscored by six runs

Guardians: 5-5, .238 batting average, 3.94 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has five doubles and two home runs for the Blue Jays.

Ernie Clement is 16 for 44 with six doubles over the last 10 games.

Jose Ramirez has six home runs, 19 walks and 12 RBIs while hitting .234 for the Guardians.

Daniel Schneemann is 13 for 30 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs over the last 10 games.

Blue Jays: George Springer: (fractured left toe 10-Day IL), Addison Barger: 10-Day IL (ankle), Cody Ponce: 60-Day IL (knee), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Trey Yesavage: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Alejandro Kirk: 10-Day IL (hand), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Berrios: 15-Day IL (elbow), Lazaro Estrada: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (elbow), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Guardians: Gabriel Arias: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Andrew Walters: 15-Day IL (lat).

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Toronto Blue Jays facing tough roster decision once George Springer returns