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June 2 Gameday: Kevin Gausman starts for Blue Jays in series opener against Braves

Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

By Michael Coyle

Jun 2, 2026, 17:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 2, 2026, 16:53 EDT

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The Toronto Blue Jays are back in action on Tuesday, squaring off with the Atlanta Braves after receiving a much-needed day off on Monday following a stretch of 17 games in 17 days.

If the Blue Jays (29-31) are going to snap their current two-game losing streak, it’s going to be tough, as the Braves (40-20) hold the best record in baseball and sit second in Major League Baseball in both runs with 316 and home runs with 84.

As the Blue Jays’ offence continues to find more consistent production, utility infielder Ernie Clement is doing his best to keep the team afloat. For the season, Clement has appeared in a team-high 59 games and is batting .300 with five home runs and 22 RBIs.

After only hitting one home run through his 121 at-bats in March and April, Clement found some extra power in May, blasting four home runs over the month, all while batting .297. Currently riding a four-game hit streak, Clement will be looking to keep the good times rolling as the calendar flips to June.

The Braves’ offence has received contributions up and down their lineup all season. One player to keep an eye on is power-hitting first baseman Matt Olson. Olson has appeared in all 60 games for the Braves this season and is batting .261 to go along with the team lead in both home runs with 16 and RBIs with 45.

Getting the start for the Braves on Tuesday will be right-hander Bryce Elder. Elder has gotten off to a strong start over his first 12 starts of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old is 4-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 72 innings.

While Elder doesn’t strike out many, highlighted by 61 punchouts across 72 frames, the righty uses a five-pitch mix to limit hard contact and keeps opposing teams off-balance. Opposing batters have only mustered a .211 average against Elder, so the Blue Jays’ offence will be in tough on Tuesday.

Kevin Gausman will counter Elder for the Blue Jays. The ever-so-steady Gausman has put together a great opening to his 2026 campaign, making 12 starts and recording a 4-3 record, a 3.13 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. The 35-year-old is currently on a three-start streak in which he has allowed one run or fewer, helping put a bow on May when Gausman posted a 3.18 ERA over 28.1 innings pitched.

Gausman has made two starts against Atlanta since joining the Blue Jays and is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA, with both outings being quality starts.

Here’s how the lineups look for the series opener at Truist Park:

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

First Pitch: 7:15 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One, SN590