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Blue Jays GDB – 52.0: Toronto looks to avoid the sweep in Tampa
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Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Tyson Shushkewich
May 25, 2025, 11:00 EDTUpdated: May 25, 2025, 13:08 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays face the Tampa Bay Rays looking to avoid a sweep at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Jays’ bats have been touch-and-go on the road, and the Rays have won 5 out of the 6 games this season between the two squads, holding a strong head-to-head record in intradivision play.
Heading to the mound for the Jays is Chris Bassitt, the strongest arm for the club this season, rotation-wise.
Bassitt owns a 2.83 ERA through 10 starts and has amassed a 2.99 FIP. He’s struck out opposing bats to the tune of a 9.6 K/9 and owns a stellar 1.7 BB/9 through 57 1/3 innings of work.
The right-hander last faced the Rays on May 14th, with the Jays earning the win as he went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one run while striking out six Tampa batters. The Rays generated seven hits off the veteran as well as two walks, but Bassitt was able to limit the damage.
Opposite of Bassitt will be right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who is making his 11th start of the year as well.
Pepiot owns a 3.99 ERA through 56 1/3 innings and has allowed 25 earned runs as well as 10 homers this year. His 47 walks and 18 walks have netted him a 7.5 K/9 and a 2.9 BB/9 while pitching to a 1.314 WHIP and a 4.73 FIP.
The 27-year-old also faced the Jays on May 14th and will be looking to win the rematch. He allowed six hits and three earned runs with one homer compared to seven strikeouts across six innings of work.
Lineup-wise, Tyler Heineman has landed on the 7-Day IL after complaining of concussion symptoms yesterday following his outing against the Padres on Thursday. Ali Sanchez joins the Jays in Toronto and gets the start today behind the plate. Anthony Santander lands in the DH spot and will bat third while George Springer heads to right field. Addison Barger lands at third base while Jonatan Clase slots into left field and Myles Straw takes charge in centre field. Daulton Varsho gets the day off.
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field – Tampa, Florida
First Pitch: 1:40 pm EST
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Chris Bassitt: 4-2 record, 2.83 ERA,  57 1/3 IP, 61 SO, 11 BB
Tampa Bay Rays – Ryan Pepiot: 2-5 record, 3.99 ERA, 56 1/3 IP, 47 SO, 18 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. Bo Bichette – SS
  2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  3. Anthony Santander – DH
  4. George Springer – RF
  5. Addison Barger – 3B
  6. Ernie Clement – 2B
  7. Jonatan Clase – LF
  8. Ali Sanchez – C
  9. Myles Straw – CF
Rays:
  1. Yandy Diaz – DH
  2. Josh Lowe – RF
  3. Brandon Lowe – 2B
  4. Junior Caminero – 3B
  5. Jonathan Aranda – 1B
  6. Chandler Simpson – LF
  7. Taylor Walls – SS
  8. Kameron Misner – CF
  9. Ben Rortvedt – C

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