Betting

Navigation

Jays News

Editorials

Shows

Nation Sites

The Nation Network

August 21 Gameday: Mason Fluharty starts as Blue Jays look to continue bullpen day success against Yankees

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

By Michael Coyle

Aug 21, 2026, 18:05 EDTUpdated: Aug 21, 2026, 17:21 EDT

Comments

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading into the Bronx riding a wave of momentum.

Following Thursday’s 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Blue Jays have now recorded seven straight series victories and are looking to make it eight as they take on their American League East division rival, the New York Yankees.

With their recent surge, the Blue Jays sit at 63-66 through 129 games and remain a 0.5 game back of both the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, who sit in a tie for the A.L. ‘s final Wild Card spot.

On Friday night at Yankee Stadium, the Blue Jays will be utilizing another bullpen day to try and keep the Yankees’ lineup in check. The Blue Jays will be handing the ball to Mason Fluharty, who will be making his fourth start of the season.

Through 67 games (three starts) this season, Fluharty is 5-1 with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. The left-hander has struck out 56 batters across his 51 innings pitched and held opponents to a .228 average.

Last Saturday, the Blue Jays used seven relievers including Braydon Fisher, Ricky Tiedemann, Simeon Woods Richardson, Fluharty, Spencer Miles, Tyler Rogers, and Louis Varland to pick up a 4-1 victory over these same Yankees. The bullpen limited the Yankees to only four hits, and thanks to Shane Bieber’s brilliance on Thursday, manager John Schneider should have every reliever available at his disposal.

One arm who figures to see some action is right-hander Spencer Arrighetti. Activated off the injured list before Friday’s game, Arrighetti should see a few innings if all goes according to plan in his Blue Jays debut.

Acquired by the Blue Jays from the Houston Astros in exchange for Daulton Varsho at the trade deadline, Arrighetti has been on the IL since July 25 as he dealt with right foot nerve irritation, which was later revealed as Morton’s neuroma.

Arrighetti threw a bullpen session on Wednesday at Tropicana Field, following a rehab outing in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons. The 26-year-old turned in a pitching line of 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, and completed his afternoon after throwing 50 pitches (35 strikes).

Countering the bullpen day for the Yankees Cam Schlittler. For his second straight outing, Schlittler will be opposing the Blue Jays during a game of this variety. Last Saturday, Schlittler turned in a pitching line of 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, but was forced to throw 97 pitches as Toronto’s lineup made him work.

For the season, Schlittler has made 26 starts and is 10-6 with a 2.19 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. The 25-year-old has struck out 189 batters across his 152 innings pitched and held opponents to a .196 average.

Friday night will mark Schlittler’s fourth start against the Blue Jays this season. Over his previous three outings, Schlittler has thrown 18.1 innings, allowed four runs on 18 hits and nine walks, while striking out 21.

Here’s how the lineups look in the series opener at Yankee Stadium:

Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, New York

First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590