Blue Jays GDB – 32.0: Jays host Guardians for a three-game series

Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
May 2, 2025, 17:00 EDTUpdated: May 2, 2025, 17:04 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays finally won a series.
This past week, they won two of three against the Boston Red Sox, snapping a three-series losing streak. They’re right back at it, as they host the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series at Rogers Centre this weekend. First up is Friday’s game at 7:07 PM ET.
Chris Bassitt starts for the Blue Jays, and it’s not a hot take to say he’s been the team’s best starter this season. Through six starts, Bassitt has pitched 34.1 innings with a 2.62 ERA and a 2.33 FIP. More impressively, his 27.1 K% is on pace to be a career-high, while his 4.9 BB% would be his career-best. With that being said, his last two starts have been worrisome, pitching 11 innings with a 6.55 ERA and a 5.06 FIP. Hopefully, he can get back on track.
Andrés Giménez faces the Guardians for the first time in his career. In early January 2021, they acquired him from the New York Mets in the package for Francisco Lindor. His best years were spent with the Guardians, until they traded him to the Blue Jays this past off-season for Spencer Horwitz. Also included in that trade was prospect Nick Mitchell going to the Guardians and reliever Nick Sandlin going to the Blue Jays. Giménez will be the only player in the trade to participate in this game.
Sticking with Giménez, he’s mainly played in the four or five spot this season for the Jays, but he is moving down to ninth in the lineup for this game. After his hot start, the 26-year-old is slashing .132/.216/.154 with no home runs in 102 plate appearances. He has to be better.
Daulton Varsho is out of the lineup, as Logan Allen (the Guardians’ starter) is a left-handed pitcher. In his place, Myles Straw will make the start. The only lefties in the Blue Jays lineup are Giménez and Addison Barger, the latter playing right field.
Let’s set up Friday evening’s game!
Location: Toronto
First Pitch: 7:07 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One, SN590
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – Chris Bassitt: 2-2 record, 2.62 ERA, 34.1 IP, 39 SO, BB
Cleveland Guardians – Logan Allen: 1-2 record, 4.21 ERA, 25.2 IP, 18 SO, 13 BB
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- Bo Bichette – SS
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Anthony Santander – LF
- George Springer – DH
- Alejandro Kirk- C
- Addison Barger – RF
- Ernie Clement – 3B
- Myles Straw – CF
- Andrés Giménez – 2B
Guardians:
- Steven Kwan – LF
- Gabriel Arias – 2B
- José Ramírez – 3B
- Kyle Manzardo – DH
- Carlos Santana – 1B
- Bo Naylor – C
- Angel Martínez -CF
- Jhonkensy Noel – RF
- Brayan Rocchio – SS
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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