It’s been far from a smooth start for Chris Bassitt in Canada.

Having started 11 games so far with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bassit had more than a rough start through his first six stars. He went 3-3 across 33.o IP allowing 19 earned runs off of six home runs and 25 hits. He fanned 28 of the 142 batters faced while walking another 16. All in all, his 5.18 ERA was far from where it needed to be.

But in a May 5th start across the Pittsburgh Pirates, things seemed to change for Bassitt on the banks of the Allegheny River.

He allowed just four hits, four walks and allowed no earned runs. It started a shutout streak for Bassitt that kicked off 28.2 consecutive scoreless innings — the third-best streak in Jays history placing him behind Roger Clemens (33 IP, 1998), and Dave Steib (34 IP, 1989-90).

Even accounting for an outing last week against the Minnesota Twins that saw him get shelled for seven earned runs, Bassitt’s last five games have seen him go 3-2 across 33.1 IP allowing nine earned runs, 25 hits and five home runs. He allowed 10 walks and fanned 29 of 134 batters.

Most importantly, it’s felt as if he’s starting to really find his stride on the mound.

Tonight he’ll be tested against a potent Mets offence featuring the likes of plenty of familiar faces. Across the mound tonight will be Justin Verlander, and Saturday afternoon it will be Tylor Megill taking the mound for New York across from Jose Berrios.

On Sunday, the Yusei Kikuchi Revenge Tour continues, but the Mets have yet to name a starter.

First pitch: 7:10 p.m. EST

Weather: 24C. 14 KM/H winds from the right outfield. “Some scattered showers and a chance for a delay.” – RotoGrinders.

Toronto Blue Jays: 30-27, 9.5 GB, 3.5 WCGB, +25 DIFF.

New York Mets: 30-27, 3.5 GB, +1.0 WCGB, -6 DIFF.

Moneyline: TOR +118; NYM +125.

TOR: Chris Bassitt RHP — 5-4, 11 GS, 3.80 ERA, 5.22 FIP, 1.146 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 0.2 WAR.

NYM: Justin Verlander RHP — 2-2, 5 GS, 4.80 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 1.100 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 0.2 WAR.

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about the Jays’ latest series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.

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