Rays vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Opening Game Preview
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The Tampa Bay Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays for the final three games of the 2025 regular season at Rogers Center.
Well here we are all knotted up atop the AL East with three games to go.
The division title will be determined this weekend by how the Blue Jays and Yankees handle their business against a pair of non-playoff teams.
After both teams won at home Thursday night, the Yankees and Blue Jays remain tied for first place, and the best record in the American League at 91-68.
New York hosts last-place Baltimore beginning Friday night, while Toronto welcomes fourth-place Tampa Bay to the Rogers Centre.
Blue Jays veteran Shane Bieber is on the bump versus Rays starter Adrian Houser. first pitch is at 7:07 PM ET exclusively on AppleTV+.
Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup
1. DH George Springer
2. RF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
4. 3B Addison Barger
5. C Alejandro Kirk
6. CF Daulton Varsho
7. LF Anthony Santander
8. 2B Ernie Clement
9. SS Andres Gimenez
SP Shane Bieber
2. RF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
4. 3B Addison Barger
5. C Alejandro Kirk
6. CF Daulton Varsho
7. LF Anthony Santander
8. 2B Ernie Clement
9. SS Andres Gimenez
SP Shane Bieber
Starting pitchers overview
Shane Bieber (3-2) conceded two runs on four hits and one walk over 6.1 innings to take the loss in his last start against Kansas City. He struck out four.
The 30-year old right-hander picked up his second consecutive quality start, as both runs he yielded came on back-to-back solo homers by Bobby Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth inning.
The one-time Cy Young Award winner has been splendid in his 35.1 total innings, pitching to a 3.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 34:5 K:BB.
Adrian Houser (8-4) gets the Ball for the Rays on Friday night. In his last outing Houser didn't factor into the decision against the Red Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out two.
Houser may not have been dominant, but he did just enough to hold the Red Sox in check and log his second straight quality start.
The right-hander's effectiveness has taken a hit since he joined the Rays, as he has a 4.65 ERA over 50.1 innings for Tampa Bay, but it's still been a fine campaign as a whole.
Across 119 frames, Houser has a 3.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 87:36 K:BB.
Blue Jays key players to watch
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been key for Toronto with 23 home runs, 83 RBI and a batting average of .295 this season.
George Springer leads Toronto in home runs with 31 while driving in 82 runs and slugging .547.
Ernie Clement has collected 147 base hits, an OBP of .310 and a slugging percentage of .396 this season.
Alejandro Kirk is batting .280 with an OBP of .348 and a slugging percentage of .401 this season.
Rays key players to watch
Junior Caminero leads the Rays in home runs (44) and runs batted in (109).
Yandy Diaz is batting .302 to pace his team.
Brandon Lowe is batting .258 with 19 doubles, 31 home runs and 37 walks.
Chandler Simpson has 14 doubles, three triples and 20 walks while hitting .300.
INJURIES:
Blue Jays: Jose Berrios: 15-Day IL (elbow), Ty France: 10-Day IL (oblique), Chris Bassitt: 15-Day IL (back), Bo Bichette: 10-Day IL (knee), Robinson Pina: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Sandlin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Yimi Garcia: 60-Day IL (ankle), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rays: Everson Pereira: day-to-day (back), Yandy Diaz: day-to-day (groin), Taylor Walls: 60-Day IL (groin), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Brian Van Belle: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mason Englert: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Stuart Fairchild: 60-Day IL (oblique), Jonathan Aranda: 10-Day IL (wrist), Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Hunter Bigge: 60-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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