Phillies versus Blue Jays: Split-Squad Starting Lineups - Game Previews

On Friday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays headed down south to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Falling into an early hole, they made a late comeback attempt, tying the game, but ultimately falling 6-5 to move their Spring Training record to 1-5

The reigning Golden Grapefruit Champs are have a hard time defending their crown so far this spring. They've dropped five of the last six games, haven't won a contest since camp opened a over a week ago.

It's split-squad Saturday, so the Jays have a shot at winning a couple of games today!

Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease will make his Spring Training debut today versus Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. First Pitch 1:07 PM ET on Sportsnet.

The Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal to add elite velocity to a starting rotation that didn't overpower anyone last year.

Cease already has a well-established track record pitching in the majors. The seven-year veteran has two top-five finishes in Cy Young voting over his past four seasons, and has eclipsed 200 strikeouts in five consecutive years - only the 21st pitcher to accomplish that feat in MLB history.

The 29-year-old has never won a playoff start, and owns a ghastly 8.74 ERA in the postseason.

In his final season with the Chicago White Sox before joining the San Diego Padres, Cease endured a 61-101 campaign in 2023.

Cristopher Sanchez get the ball for the Phillies today. The Phillies' lefty finished second in National League Cy Young voting last season after delivering a 2.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and elite strikeout, walk and home run numbers over 202 innings.

He's taken major strides forward three years in a row and enters the 2026 season viewed as one of baseball's Top 7 to 10 starting pitchers.

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