<p>The Toronto Blue Jays had a successful finish to their west coast road trip but fell flat at home against the Tampa Bay Rays, taking one of two games against their division rival. Looking to put that contest behind them, the Blue Jays will host the Detroit Tigers for a three-game set, and this time around, the Tigers are putting up a strong showing.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Tigers lead the AL Central with a 29-15 record and have won eight of their last ten games, getting contributions across the lineup. The Tigers have seen a resurgence from shortstop Javier Baez to the tune of a .842 OPS, and three more Tigers own an OPS over the .800 mark in Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Gleyber Torres. Their pitching has also been strong, led by AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, while the likes of Reese Olsen and Cazey Mize have found a strong footing to begin the 2025 season. In the pen, Tommy Kanhle has been a force, amassing I&#8217;ve saves with a 1.08 ERA while Brant Hurter, Brenan Hanifee, Will Vest, and Tyler Holton have fared well during the same span.</p>
<p>The Jays will be sending Bowden Francis to the mound tonight, with the right-hander looking to turn the tide from a stretch of tough outings on the mound. Francis owns a 5.40 ERA on the season with 12 home runs allowed through 41 2/3 innings, with 14 earned runs through his last three starts. He went 6 2/3 innings against Seattle this past weekend, a step in the right direction, but another home run was added to his mark, a tough line that he will need to limit against a Tigers squad that has 56 on the year, tied for seventh in the Majors.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Schneider says that Anthony Santander is out of the lineup tonight for a quick break and reset. A lineup change is possible tomorrow, but that&#39;s still TBD.</p>
<p>&quot;&#8230;Sometimes, I think it’s beneficial for guys to stop thinking and let your mind rest for 24 hours.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1923489666050732388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Opposite Francis will be veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty, who rejoined the Tigers this past winter on a two-year deal worth $35 million.</p>
<p>This year, Flaherty has seen his fair share of ups and downs, with the right-hander posting a 4.61 ERA and an identical 4.61 FIP through 41 innings of work. He owns a 1.244 WHIP with an 11.0 K/9 but has allowed 21 runs and 14 walks so far this season, with his record standing at 1- 5. He&#8217;s looking to bounce back from a three-inning affair against the Texas Rangers back on May 10th, where he allowed four homers and five earned runs through three innings.</p>
<p>Lineup-wise, Daulton Varsho slots into the third spot while playing centre field. George Springer is the DH while Michael Stefanic gets the nod at second base, with Ernie Clement getting the day off. Jonatan Clase is in left field with Nathan Lukes in right. Anthony Santander gets the night off.</p>
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<p><strong>Location: </strong>Rogers Centre &#8211; Toronto, Ontario</p>
<p><strong>First Pitch: </strong>7:07 PM EST</p>
<p><strong>Watch/Listen: </strong>Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan</p>
<h2>Starting Pitchers</h2>
<p><strong>Toronto Blue Jays &#8211; </strong>Bowden Francis: 2-5 record, 5.40 ERA, 41 2/3 IP, 30 SO, 11 BB</p>
<p><strong>Detroit Tigers</strong> <strong>&#8211;</strong> Jack Flaherty: 1-5 record, 4.61 ERA, 41 IP, 50 SO, 14 BB</p>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<p><strong>Blue Jays:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Bo Bichette &#8211; SS</li>
<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. &#8211; 1B</li>
<li>Daulton Varsho &#8211; CF</li>
<li>George Springer &#8211; DH</li>
<li>Alejandro Kirk -C</li>
<li>Addison Barger &#8211; 3B</li>
<li>Nathan Lukes &#8211; RF</li>
<li>Michael Stefanic &#8211; 2B</li>
<li>Jonatan Clase &#8211; LF</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Tigers:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Kerry Carpenter &#8211; RF</li>
<li>Gleyber Torres &#8211; 2B</li>
<li>Colt Keith &#8211; DH</li>
<li>Riley Greene &#8211; LF</li>
<li>Spencer Torkelson &#8211; 1B</li>
<li>Zach McKinstry &#8211; 3B</li>
<li>Dillon Dingler &#8211; C</li>
<li>Trey Sweeney &#8211; SS</li>
<li>Javier Baez &#8211; CF</li>
</ol>
<hr />
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The Toronto Blue Jays had a successful finish to their west coast road trip but fell flat at home against the Tampa Bay Rays, taking one of two games against their division rival. Looking to put that contest behind them, the Blue Jays will host the Detroit Tigers for a three-game set, and this time around, the Tigers are putting up a strong showing.



The Tigers lead the AL Central with a 29-15 record and have won eight of their last ten games, getting contributions across the lineup. The Tigers have seen a resurgence from shortstop Javier Baez to the tune of a .842 OPS, and three more Tigers own an OPS over the .800 mark in Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Gleyber Torres. Their pitching has also been strong, led by AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, while the likes of Reese Olsen and Cazey Mize have found a strong footing to begin the 2025 season. In the pen, Tommy Kanhle has been a force, amassing I've saves with a 1.08 ERA while Brant Hurter, Brenan Hanifee, Will Vest, and Tyler Holton have fared well during the same span.

The Jays will be sending Bowden Francis to the mound tonight, with the right-hander looking to turn the tide from a stretch of tough outings on the mound. Francis owns a 5.40 ERA on the season with 12 home runs allowed through 41 2/3 innings, with 14 earned runs through his last three starts. He went 6 2/3 innings against Seattle this past weekend, a step in the right direction, but another home run was added to his mark, a tough line that he will need to limit against a Tigers squad that has 56 on the year, tied for seventh in the Majors.

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/1923489666050732388

Opposite Francis will be veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty, who rejoined the Tigers this past winter on a two-year deal worth $35 million.

This year, Flaherty has seen his fair share of ups and downs, with the right-hander posting a 4.61 ERA and an identical 4.61 FIP through 41 innings of work. He owns a 1.244 WHIP with an 11.0 K/9 but has allowed 21 runs and 14 walks so far this season, with his record standing at 1- 5. He's looking to bounce back from a three-inning affair against the Texas Rangers back on May 10th, where he allowed four homers and five earned runs through three innings.

Lineup-wise, Daulton Varsho slots into the third spot while playing centre field. George Springer is the DH while Michael Stefanic gets the nod at second base, with Ernie Clement getting the day off. Jonatan Clase is in left field with Nathan Lukes in right. Anthony Santander gets the night off.

<hr />

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<strong>Location: </strong>Rogers Centre - Toronto, Ontario

<strong>First Pitch: </strong>7:07 PM EST

<strong>Watch/Listen: </strong>Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan
<h2>Starting Pitchers</h2>
<strong>Toronto Blue Jays - </strong>Bowden Francis: 2-5 record, 5.40 ERA, 41 2/3 IP, 30 SO, 11 BB

<strong>Detroit Tigers</strong> <strong>-</strong> Jack Flaherty: 1-5 record, 4.61 ERA, 41 IP, 50 SO, 14 BB
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<strong>Blue Jays:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Bo Bichette - SS</li>
 	<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B</li>
 	<li>Daulton Varsho - CF</li>
 	<li>George Springer - DH</li>
 	<li>Alejandro Kirk -C</li>
 	<li>Addison Barger - 3B</li>
 	<li>Nathan Lukes - RF</li>
 	<li>Michael Stefanic - 2B</li>
 	<li>Jonatan Clase - LF</li>
</ol>
<strong>Tigers:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Kerry Carpenter - RF</li>
 	<li>Gleyber Torres - 2B</li>
 	<li>Colt Keith - DH</li>
 	<li>Riley Greene - LF</li>
 	<li>Spencer Torkelson - 1B</li>
 	<li>Zach McKinstry - 3B</li>
 	<li>Dillon Dingler - C</li>
 	<li>Trey Sweeney - SS</li>
 	<li>Javier Baez - CF</li>
</ol>

<hr />

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Blue Jays GDB – 44.0: Toronto welcomes a tough Detroit Tigers squad for a three-game set

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