The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in town and won&#8217;t be going anywhere anytime soon.

This evening, they kick off a three-series homestand with the Atlanta Braves paying visit to the Rogers Center. There was talk that Canadian Mike Soroka might&#8217;ve been available to make his long-awaited return to the bigs on Sunday, but after starting for <a href="https://twitter.com/thehazelmae/status/1656824391865442304">Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, that won&#8217;t be the case</a>.
This series, however, will feature some good pitching matchups. Tonight the Jays sent Chris Bassitt to the mound opposite of one of the best in the bigs, Spencer Strider. Saturday afternoon its Jose Berrios going up against Bryce Elder and on Mother&#8217;s Day Sunday, the Jays will send out Yusei Kikuchi.
The Braves, however, haven&#8217;t named a starter for the final game of the series Sunday. They sent Max Fried to the 15-day IL earlier this week with a strained left forearm, and Kyle Wright is dealing with a shoulder injury. Both players could miss months, according to <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/braves-rotation-will-be-tested-with-max-fried-kyle-wright-likely-out-for-months-with-injuries/">CBS Sports</a>, so their rotation is about to be tested in a big way.
Nonetheless, the Jays have to be feeling rested today after getting two of the last four days off in thanks to their two-game set against the Phillies. In August, they&#8217;ll see a similar little break after another two-game set against Philly.
There&#8217;s no word as of the time of writing (1:45 EST) if George Springer will draw into the lineup this evening after continuing to battle an ongoing viral infection. Let&#8217;s hope he&#8217;s able to lick whatever is going on and return to his old self sooner, rather than later.
UPDATE 3:30 PM EST: Springer is, in fact, back in the Jays lineup tonight and will be batting leadoff.
First pitch: 7:07 p.m. EST
Weather: 23C. It&#8217;s going to be a beautiful weekend in Toronto, so I&#8217;d be willing to bet the roof will be open all weekend.
Toronto Blue Jays: 21-16, 8.0 GB, &#8211; WCGB. +16 DIFF, 4.87 R/G, 4.41 RA/G.
Atlanta Braves: 25-12, &#8211; GB, &#8211; WCGB. +59 DIFF, 5.38 R/G, 3.78 RA/G.
<a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662/">Odds via Betano:</a>
Moneyline: TOR +142; ATL -154.
Starting pitchers:
TOR: Chris Bassitt RHP — 2-3, 4.28 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, 7.4 K9, 0.1 bWAR.
ATL: Spencer Strider RHP — 4-0, 2.70 ERA, 0.925 WHIP, 15.1 K9, 1.2 bWAR.
Lineups: 
Toronto 
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/george-springer-543807" target="" rel="noopener">G Springer</a> (R) RF</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/bo-bichette-666182" target="" rel="noopener">B Bichette</a> (R) SS</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/vladimir-guerrero-jr-665489" target="" rel="noopener">V Guerrero Jr.</a> (R) 1B</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139" target="" rel="noopener">D Varsho</a> (L) LF</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-chapman-656305" target="" rel="noopener">M Chapman</a> (R) 3B</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/alejandro-kirk-672386" target="" rel="noopener">A Kirk</a> (R) C</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-belt-474832" target="" rel="noopener">B Belt</a> (L) DH</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/whit-merrifield-593160" target="" rel="noopener">W Merrifield</a> (R) 2B</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kevin-kiermaier-595281" target="" rel="noopener">K Kiermaier</a> (L) CF</li>
</ol>
Atlanta
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ronald-acuna-jr-660670" target="" rel="noopener">R Acuña</a> (R) RF</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-olson-621566" target="" rel="noopener">M Olson</a> (L) 1B</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/austin-riley-663586" target="" rel="noopener">A Riley</a> (R) 3B</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/sean-murphy-669221" target="" rel="noopener">S Murphy</a> (R) C</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/eddie-rosario-592696" target="" rel="noopener">E Rosario</a> (L) LF</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ozzie-albies-645277" target="" rel="noopener">O Albies</a> (S) 2B</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/travis-d-arnaud-518595" target="" rel="noopener">T d&#8217;Arnaud</a> (R) DH</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/michael-harris-ii-671739" target="" rel="noopener">M Harris II</a> (L) CF</li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/orlando-arcia-606115" target="" rel="noopener">O Arcia</a> (R) SS</li>
</ol>
<h2>Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
<a href="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/2023/05/11/bjn-radio-ep-143-blue-jays-dont-do-the-little-things-right-and-get-swept-in-philly/">Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio</a> as the crew talks about the Jays&#8217; latest series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
<iframe title="Spotify Embed: Blue Jays don&amp;apos;t do the little things right and get swept in Philly" style="border-radius: 12px" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/42aBxJi0CcOlFiGoCzY4xM?utm_source=oembed"></iframe>
<hr />
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing">@zjlaing</a>, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in town and won't be going anywhere anytime soon.



This evening, they kick off a three-series homestand with the Atlanta Braves paying visit to the Rogers Center. There was talk that Canadian Mike Soroka might've been available to make his long-awaited return to the bigs on Sunday, but after starting for <a href="https://twitter.com/thehazelmae/status/1656824391865442304">Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, that won't be the case</a>.

This series, however, will feature some good pitching matchups. Tonight the Jays sent Chris Bassitt to the mound opposite of one of the best in the bigs, Spencer Strider. Saturday afternoon its Jose Berrios going up against Bryce Elder and on Mother's Day Sunday, the Jays will send out Yusei Kikuchi.

The Braves, however, haven't named a starter for the final game of the series Sunday. They sent Max Fried to the 15-day IL earlier this week with a strained left forearm, and Kyle Wright is dealing with a shoulder injury. Both players could miss months, according to <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/braves-rotation-will-be-tested-with-max-fried-kyle-wright-likely-out-for-months-with-injuries/">CBS Sports</a>, so their rotation is about to be tested in a big way.

Nonetheless, the Jays have to be feeling rested today after getting two of the last four days off in thanks to their two-game set against the Phillies. In August, they'll see a similar little break after another two-game set against Philly.

There's no word as of the time of writing (1:45 EST) if George Springer will draw into the lineup this evening after continuing to battle an ongoing viral infection. Let's hope he's able to lick whatever is going on and return to his old self sooner, rather than later.

UPDATE 3:30 PM EST: Springer is, in fact, back in the Jays lineup tonight and will be batting leadoff.

First pitch: 7:07 p.m. EST

Weather: 23C. It's going to be a beautiful weekend in Toronto, so I'd be willing to bet the roof will be open all weekend.

Toronto Blue Jays: 21-16, 8.0 GB, - WCGB. +16 DIFF, 4.87 R/G, 4.41 RA/G.

Atlanta Braves: 25-12, - GB, - WCGB. +59 DIFF, 5.38 R/G, 3.78 RA/G.

<a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662/">Odds via Betano:</a>

Moneyline: TOR +142; ATL -154.

Starting pitchers:

TOR: Chris Bassitt RHP — 2-3, 4.28 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, 7.4 K9, 0.1 bWAR.

ATL: Spencer Strider RHP — 4-0, 2.70 ERA, 0.925 WHIP, 15.1 K9, 1.2 bWAR.

Lineups: 

Toronto 
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/george-springer-543807" target="" rel="noopener">G Springer</a> (R) RF</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/bo-bichette-666182" target="" rel="noopener">B Bichette</a> (R) SS</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/vladimir-guerrero-jr-665489" target="" rel="noopener">V Guerrero Jr.</a> (R) 1B</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139" target="" rel="noopener">D Varsho</a> (L) LF</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-chapman-656305" target="" rel="noopener">M Chapman</a> (R) 3B</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/alejandro-kirk-672386" target="" rel="noopener">A Kirk</a> (R) C</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-belt-474832" target="" rel="noopener">B Belt</a> (L) DH</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/whit-merrifield-593160" target="" rel="noopener">W Merrifield</a> (R) 2B</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kevin-kiermaier-595281" target="" rel="noopener">K Kiermaier</a> (L) CF</li>
</ol>
Atlanta
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ronald-acuna-jr-660670" target="" rel="noopener">R Acuña</a> (R) RF</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/matt-olson-621566" target="" rel="noopener">M Olson</a> (L) 1B</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/austin-riley-663586" target="" rel="noopener">A Riley</a> (R) 3B</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/sean-murphy-669221" target="" rel="noopener">S Murphy</a> (R) C</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/eddie-rosario-592696" target="" rel="noopener">E Rosario</a> (L) LF</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ozzie-albies-645277" target="" rel="noopener">O Albies</a> (S) 2B</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/travis-d-arnaud-518595" target="" rel="noopener">T d'Arnaud</a> (R) DH</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/michael-harris-ii-671739" target="" rel="noopener">M Harris II</a> (L) CF</li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/orlando-arcia-606115" target="" rel="noopener">O Arcia</a> (R) SS</li>
</ol>
<h2>Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
<a href="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/2023/05/11/bjn-radio-ep-143-blue-jays-dont-do-the-little-things-right-and-get-swept-in-philly/">Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio</a> as the crew talks about the Jays' latest series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/42aBxJi0CcOlFiGoCzY4xM

<hr />

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing">@zjlaing</a>, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.

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