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June 25 Gameday: Blue Jays open four-game set against the Texas Rangers
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jun 25, 2026, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 25, 2026, 17:26 EDT
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For every one step forward the Toronto Blue Jays take this season, it feels like two steps back immediately follow. 
That trend was evident during the Blue Jays’ series loss against the Houston Astros, where the club pulled to the .500 mark after Monday’s win but immediately dropped the next two games,  both of which were very winnable, to fall to 39-41 heading into Thursday’s contest against the Texas Rangers. 
All that being said, the Blue Jays hold the American League’s final Wild Card spot but only by the slimmest of margins. The Blue Jays remain one game up on the Astros, Athletics, and Rangers, with the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins lurking only two games back, so the Blue Jays need a good run to create some breathing room. 
The Blue Jays will hand the ball to Kevin Gausman on Thursday as they look to snap their two-game losing streak. Gausman is coming off his worst start of the season, in which he lasted only two innings after allowing seven hits, seven runs, and four walks during his outing against the Chicago Cubs. 
The start was so shocking because, through much of 2026, Gausman has been as steady as ever, and has consistently found ways to work deep into games. Through 16 starts, Gausman is 4-5 with a 4.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and has struck out 89 batters over his first 89 frames of the season. 
The Rangers will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The former third overall draft pick during the 2017 MLB Draft was acquired by the Rangers this offseason from the Washington Nationals in exchange for five prospects. 
Through 16 starts this season, Gore is 4-6 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. The 27-year-old possesses an ability to strike batters out, highlighted by 92 punchouts across his 84 frames to begin the season. Gore has held opponents to a .226 average, giving the Blue Jays a difficult test in the opening game of their four-game set. 
With Gore’s previous four seasons coming in the National League, the Blue Jays’ offence has only had limited experience against the lefty, but one player who has seen him well throughout his career is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In eight at-bats against Gore, Guerrero is 4-for-8 with one home run and eight RBIs. 
The Blue Jays need this version of Guerrero, as the results through 76 games have been disappointing. The 27-year-old is batting .277 with four home runs and 32 RBIs but is still searching for his first long ball at Rogers Centre this season. 
Here’s how the lineups look for the series opener at Rogers Centre: 
Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada
First Pitch: 7:07 PM EST
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 4-5, 4.04 ERA, 89 IP, 89 SO, 20 BB
Texas Rangers – MacKenzie Gore: 4-6 record, 4.07 ERA, 84 IP, 92 SO, 37 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. George Springer – DH
  2. Ernie Clement – SS
  3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  4. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
  5. Alejandro Kirk – C
  6. Nathan Lukes – RF
  7. Davis Schneider – LF
  8. Myles Straw – CF
  9. Luis Urías – 2B
Rangers:
  1. Joc Pederson – DH
  2. Wyatt Langford – CF
  3. Corey Seager – SS
  4. Brandon Nimmo – RF
  5. Jake Burger – 1B
  6. Ezequiel Duran – 3B
  7. Alejandro Osuna – LF
  8. Kyle Higashioka – C
  9. Nicky Lopez – 2B

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