Red Sox vs Blue Jays: Staring Lineup - Opening Game Preview

Toronto is the first team in the American League to secure a spot in the playoffs, returning to the post-season for the first time since 2023, and improved its AL-best and AL East-leading record to 90-66.

Blue Jays veteran Kevin Gausman (10-10) goes up against Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito (10-4). First pitch is at 7:07 PM ET on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

In his last outing Kevin Gausman didn't factor into the decision against the Rays, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings.

Gausman gave up an early run in the first inning but quickly settled in, retiring 18 of the next 22 batters while blanking Tampa Bay the rest of the way.

Coming off a complete-game shutout against Houston in which he allowed just two hits, the right-hander continued his dominant form Wednesday, though Toronto's lack of run support left him with a no-decision.

Gausman has now given up only three runs across his last four starts (30 innings), posting a 0.90 ERA and 28:4 K:BB during that span.

Lucas Giolito gets the ball for the Red Sox. In his last outing Giolito didn't factor into the decision in a win against the Athletics, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings.

Giolito worked around constant traffic early and stranded six runners through four frames to limit the damage to one run, but it caught up to him in the fifth.

After a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out, the right-hander was lifted, and all three inherited runners came around to score.

The rough outing snapped a strong four-start stretch in which Giolito had posted a 1.46 ERA and 22:10 K:BB across 24.2 innings.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting .299 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI for Toronto this season.

George Springer's 30 home runs are most among Toronto batters. He's driven in 80 runs this season while slugging .552.

Ernie Clement has collected 146 base hits, an OBP of .315 and a slugging percentage of .401 this season.

Alejandro Kirk has 123 hits and an OBP of .352 to go with a slugging percentage of .407 this season.

Jarren Duran has 39 doubles, 13 triples, 16 home runs and 59 walks while hitting .260.

Trevor Story has hit 25 home runs with 95 runs batted in while hitting .264. Those stats are all team-highs.

Alex Bregman has 27 doubles, 18 home runs and 49 walks while hitting .278.

Ceddanne Rafaela is batting .244 with 31 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs and 26 walks.

Blue Jays:Bo Bichette: 10 Day IL (Knee), Chris Bassitt: 15 Day IL (Back), Ryan Burr: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Robinson Pina: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Nick Sandlin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Bowden Francis: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Anthony Santander: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Angel Bastardo: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Red Sox:Roman Anthony: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Brennan Bernardino: 15 Day IL (Lat), Dustin May: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Jordan Hicks: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Richard Fitts: 15 Day IL (Biceps), Triston Casas: 60 Day IL (Knee), Marcelo Mayer: 60 Day IL (Wrist), Josh Winckowski: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Luis Guerrero: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Kutter Crawford: 60 Day IL (Knee), Patrick Sandoval: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Liam Hendriks: 60 Day IL (Hip), Tanner Houck: 60 Day IL (Flexor), Hunter Dobbins: 60 Day IL (Acl), Vaughn Grissom: 60 Day IL (Foot)