The Toronto Blue Jays can’t seem to win a game without putting fans through a heart attack or two. The Blue Jays were losing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but their bats continued to rally, starting with a bunt from Daulton Varsho to get the rally going. Alejandro Kirk would put the exclamation mark on the three-run frame, sending a fly ball to centre field with the bases loaded to score Joey Loperfido and send fans home happy.

This afternoon, the Blue Jays go for another sweep, with right-hander Shane Bieber heading to the mound.

Bieber is making his fifth start of the season after returning from Tommy John surgery and is looking to build upon his strong start to the campaign. He owns a 4.30 ERA through 23 innings of work, but his FIP is strong at 3.19, and he boasts a 1.043 WHIP. The California product has allowed just 11 earned runs this season from an 8.2 H/9 rate, and he’s kept the free passes in check, allowing just three walks (1.2 BB/9) so far this season.

Through his four starts, Bieber has gone at least five innings (per start) and has struck out six or more batters in at least three of those outings. The Blue Jays have won three of his four starts, and outside of his outing against the Reds, where he allowed five earned, Bieber has limited opposing bats to three runs or fewer. Opponents own a .241/.275/.391 slash line and a .666 OPS on the Jays starter.

The Baltimore Orioles are countering with a bullpen day, thanks to the numerous injuries to their rotation and after trading away numerous arms at the trade deadline. Albert Suarez will take the first crack against the Blue Jays.

Suarez is making his fifth appearance of the year after missing most of the campaign with a right shoulder injury. Primarily a late-inning reliever for the Orioles this season, Suarez does boast starting experience in the big leagues, making 12 starts for the San Francisco Giants in 2016 and 24 starts for the Orioles last season. He was also starting games overseas in Japan and South Korea from 2019 through 2023.

The right-hander owns a 2.08 ERA and a 2.68 FIP through 8 2/3 innings this year, allowing just two earned runs and walking one batter compared to five strikeouts. He works with five pitches, with his mid-90s four-seamer leading the charge at 45%. He follows that with a cutter, curveball, slurve, and changeup to mix up the verticals. The Blue Jays will likely see Suarez for two to three innings or roughly 40-50 pitches, which is where the Venezuelan product has ranged at the top end of the scale this season.

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario

First Pitch: 1:37 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Shane Bieber: 2-1 record, 4.30 ERA, 23 IP, 25 SO, 3 BB

Baltimore Orioles – Albert Suarez: 2-0 record, 2.08 ERA, 8 2/3 IP, 5 SO, 1 BB