Orioles vs Blue Jays: Todays Lineup - Series Finale Preview

The Blue Jays made some roster moves prior to todays game which probably won't be a surprise to most.

🔹 RHP Max Scherzer (right thumb inflammation) placed on 15-day IL

🔹 LHP Easton Lucas recalled from Triple-A and will be active for today's game

🔹 The Blue Jays have selected the contract of LHP Mason Fluharty - he will be active for today's game and wear number 68

🔹 LHP Richard Lovelady designated for assignment

🔹 RHP Tommy Nance has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A

Chris Bassitt will make his first start of the 2025 season today, as he looks to bounce back from a below average 2024 season.

Bassitt gave up two hits and two walks over 4.2 scoreless innings in his last Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out four.

While he didn't have to deal with any of Minnesota's biggest bats, like Byron Buxton or Royce Lewis, Bassitt had little trouble dispatching the lineup he did face.

The veteran righty built up to 71 pitches (46 strikes) in his longest outing of the spring, and he has a 10:6 K:BB through 9.2 Grapefruit League frames.

The Blue Jays could use a good outing from Bassitt because their bullpen has been busy, particularly on Saturday when starter Max Scherzer left after three innings with a tight right lat. Toronto used five relievers to cover the final six innings.

Bassitt will be counted on to provide length in the middle of the rotation after posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 371 innings over his first two campaigns with the Blue Jays.

Japanese star Tomoyuki Sugano will make his MLB debut this afternoon.

The 35-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Orioles in December.

He was 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA last season in Japan's Central League in his 12th season with the Yomiuri Giants.

Sugano did not allow a run in his first 10 1/3 innings at spring training before he gave up five in 4 2/3 innings - a two-run double and three-run homer by Jazz Chisholm - against the New York Yankees on March 20.

Toronto had a 74-88 record overall and a 39-42 record in home games last season. The Blue Jays batted .241 as a team in the 2024 season with a .703 OPS.

Baltimore had a 91-71 record overall and a 47-34 record on the road last season. The Orioles pitching staff had a collective 3.95 ERA while averaging 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings in the 2024 season.

INJURIES: Blue Jays: Max Scherzer: Day to day (Lat) Erik Swanson: 15-Day IL (hand), Ryan Burr: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (elbow), Gunnar Henderson: 10-Day IL (ribs), Chayce McDermott: 15-Day IL (lat), Trevor Rogers: 15-Day IL (knee), Andrew Kittredge: 15-Day IL (knee), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow)