<p>Friday night&#8217;s start against the Texas Rangers could mark Yusei Kikuchi&#8217;s final as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block"></div>
<p>Kikuchi comes in at No. 17 on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5649385/2024/07/22/mlb-trade-deadline-player-position-ranking/"><em>The Athletic&#8217;s</em></a> trade board, listing him as a likely player to move.</p>
<p>&#8220;His high strikeout rate and demonstrated ability to pitch like an All-Star for stretches is likely enough to make him one of the most sought-after rental starters available,&#8221; <em>The Athletic</em> wrote, highlighting that he would fit nicely as No. 3 or No. 4 in most contending rotations.</p>
<p>Potential landing spots? The Houston Astros, Minnestoa Twins and St. Louis Cardinals, they listed.</p>
<p>But before we get there, Kikuchi will look to have another strong outing Friday against the Rangers, opposite Andrew Heaney. Both starters tonight have struggled against opposing teams, so fireworks could very well come quickly.</p>
<p>For the Jays, Justin Turner will jump up to the second spot in the lineup, while Spencer Horwitz falls to the fifth. Turner has put up a 1.317 OPS in 12 plate appearances against Heaney in the past, and on the year, his .830 OPS vs. lefties towers over his .659 OPS vs. righties.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>First pitch:</strong> 3:07 p.m. EST.</p>
<p><strong>TV &amp; Radio:</strong> Apple TV+, SN590.</p>
<p><strong>Odds via Bet365:</strong></p>
<p>Moneyline: TOR -115; TEX -105.<br />
Spread: TOR -1.5 +170; TEX +1.5 -205.<br />
Over/Under: o8 -115; u8 -105</p>
<p>*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds subject to change.</p>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers:</strong></h2>
<table style="width: 596px;">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="align-left fixed " style="width: 117px;" data-col="0" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Name</th>
<th class="align-left " style="width: 50px;" data-col="1" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">Team</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 27px;" data-col="2" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">GS</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 22px;" data-col="3" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">W</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 21px;" data-col="4" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">L</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 45px;" data-col="5" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">IP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 40px;" data-col="6" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">ERA</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 50px;" data-col="7" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">xERA</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 47px;" data-col="8" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">ERA-</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 35px;" data-col="9" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">FIP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 55px;" data-col="10" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">WHIP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 41px;" data-col="11" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">K/9</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 46px;" data-col="12" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">BB/9</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 117px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Yusei Kikuchi</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TOR</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">21</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">4</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 21px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">9</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 45px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">111.0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">4.54</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.99</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">114</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 35px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.58</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.31</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">10.14</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">2.27</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 117px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Andrew Heaney</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TEX</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">19</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">4</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 21px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">10</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 45px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">100.0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">3.60</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">4.02</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">87</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 35px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.96</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.24</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">9.09</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">2.61</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<hr />
<p><strong>BLUE JAYS:</strong></p>
<div class="starting-lineups__teams starting-lineups__teams--xs starting-lineups__teams--md starting-lineups__teams--lg">
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/george-springer-543807" target="" rel="noopener">G Springer</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) RF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/justin-turner-457759" target="" rel="noopener">J Turner</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) DH</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/vladimir-guerrero-jr-665489" target="" rel="noopener">V Guerrero Jr.</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 1B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/danny-jansen-643376" target="" rel="noopener">D Jansen</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/spencer-horwitz-687462" target="" rel="noopener">S Horwitz</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 2B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ernie-clement-676391" target="" rel="noopener">E Clement</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 3B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/davis-schneider-676914" target="" rel="noopener">D Schneider</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) LF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/leo-jimenez-677870" target="" rel="noopener">L Jiménez</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kevin-kiermaier-595281" target="" rel="noopener">K Kiermaier</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) CF</span></li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<hr />
</div>
<div class="starting-lineups__buttons starting-lineups__buttons--bottom">
<div class="p-button-group" role="group">
<div class="p-button p-button--regular starting-lineups__button"><strong>RANGERS:</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
<li class="starting-lineups__player">TBA</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
<p>Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.</p>
<p><iframe title="Spotify Embed: Blue Jays Nation Radio" style="border-radius: 12px" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/show/00f5Twxj4i9KG1WXzdOiG1?go=1&#038;amp%3Bsp_cid=b3195c716641dffe5ac518f4b2755cdc&#038;amp%3Butm_source=embed_player_p&#038;amp%3Butm_medium=desktop&#038;amp%3Bnd=1&#038;utm_source=oembed"></iframe></p>
<hr />
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i></p>
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Friday night's start against the Texas Rangers could mark Yusei Kikuchi's final as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.


<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block"></div>
Kikuchi comes in at No. 17 on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5649385/2024/07/22/mlb-trade-deadline-player-position-ranking/"><em>The Athletic's</em></a> trade board, listing him as a likely player to move.

"His high strikeout rate and demonstrated ability to pitch like an All-Star for stretches is likely enough to make him one of the most sought-after rental starters available," <em>The Athletic</em> wrote, highlighting that he would fit nicely as No. 3 or No. 4 in most contending rotations.

Potential landing spots? The Houston Astros, Minnestoa Twins and St. Louis Cardinals, they listed.

But before we get there, Kikuchi will look to have another strong outing Friday against the Rangers, opposite Andrew Heaney. Both starters tonight have struggled against opposing teams, so fireworks could very well come quickly.

For the Jays, Justin Turner will jump up to the second spot in the lineup, while Spencer Horwitz falls to the fifth. Turner has put up a 1.317 OPS in 12 plate appearances against Heaney in the past, and on the year, his .830 OPS vs. lefties towers over his .659 OPS vs. righties.

<hr />

<strong>First pitch:</strong> 3:07 p.m. EST.

<strong>TV &amp; Radio:</strong> Apple TV+, SN590.

<strong>Odds via Bet365:</strong>

Moneyline: TOR -115; TEX -105.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +170; TEX +1.5 -205.
Over/Under: o8 -115; u8 -105

*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds subject to change.
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers:</strong></h2>
<table style="width: 596px;">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="align-left fixed " style="width: 117px;" data-col="0" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Name</th>
<th class="align-left " style="width: 50px;" data-col="1" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">Team</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 27px;" data-col="2" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">GS
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 22px;" data-col="3" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">W
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 21px;" data-col="4" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">L
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 45px;" data-col="5" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">IP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 40px;" data-col="6" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">ERA
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 50px;" data-col="7" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">xERA
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 47px;" data-col="8" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">ERA-
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 35px;" data-col="9" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">FIP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 55px;" data-col="10" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">WHIP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 41px;" data-col="11" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">K/9
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 46px;" data-col="12" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">BB/9
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 117px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Yusei Kikuchi</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TOR</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">21</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">4</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 21px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">9</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 45px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">111.0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">4.54</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.99</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">114</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 35px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.58</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.31</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">10.14</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">2.27</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 117px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Andrew Heaney</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TEX</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">19</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">4</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 21px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">10</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 45px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">100.0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">3.60</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">4.02</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">87</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 35px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.96</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.24</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">9.09</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">2.61</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>

<hr />

<strong>BLUE JAYS:</strong>
<div class="starting-lineups__teams starting-lineups__teams--xs starting-lineups__teams--md starting-lineups__teams--lg">
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/george-springer-543807" target="" rel="noopener">G Springer</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) RF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/justin-turner-457759" target="" rel="noopener">J Turner</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) DH</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/vladimir-guerrero-jr-665489" target="" rel="noopener">V Guerrero Jr.</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 1B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/danny-jansen-643376" target="" rel="noopener">D Jansen</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/spencer-horwitz-687462" target="" rel="noopener">S Horwitz</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 2B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ernie-clement-676391" target="" rel="noopener">E Clement</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 3B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/davis-schneider-676914" target="" rel="noopener">D Schneider</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) LF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/leo-jimenez-677870" target="" rel="noopener">L Jiménez</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kevin-kiermaier-595281" target="" rel="noopener">K Kiermaier</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) CF</span></li>
</ol>
</blockquote>

<hr />

</div>
<div class="starting-lineups__buttons starting-lineups__buttons--bottom">
<div class="p-button-group" role="group">
<div class="p-button p-button--regular starting-lineups__button"><strong>RANGERS:</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player">TBA</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>

<hr />

<h2 style="text-align: left;">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.

https://open.spotify.com/show/00f5Twxj4i9KG1WXzdOiG1?go=1&amp;amp;sp_cid=b3195c716641dffe5ac518f4b2755cdc&amp;amp;utm_source=embed_player_p&amp;amp;utm_medium=desktop&amp;amp;nd=1

<hr />

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i>

<hr />

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