June 7 Gameday: Blue Jays go for series win over Orioles with Kevin Gausman on the mound
Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Jun 7, 2026, 13:25 EDT
The Blue Jays bounced back in a big way Saturday afternoon, behind impactful offensive performances from Ernie Clement and Brandon Valenzuela, to win 6-4 against the Orioles. Today, they go for their first series win in June.
The Blue Jays flipped the script in the second game of this series, after being outhit 13-8 in game one and losing 13-3. They scored six runs on twelve hits, compared to the Orioles’ four runs on six hits, finally breaking through with multiple XBH from both Clement and Valenzuela. Spencer Miles provided quality innings once again, going a solid 4.1 innings of two-run ball, and Louis Varland shut it down for his ninth save of the year.
The Jays’ record now sits at 31-34, tied with the Orioles for third place in the American League East and half a game back of the Texas Rangers for the final Wild Card spot. Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, and Alejandro Kirk are all expected back within the next week, with Addison Barger and Shane Bieber likely no more than a few weeks away. Reinforcements are on the way, but now is the time for the players on the field to start stacking wins together.
Kevin Gausman is coming off an up-and-down outing against the red-hot Atlanta Braves, going six innings, allowing four runs on five hits, and striking out eight batters. He will be facing the Orioles for the first time this season, entering today’s game with a 2.28 ERA over his last four starts across 23.2 innings pitched.
On the other hand, Shane Baz takes the ball for the Orioles, coming off his best three-game stretch of the season. After posting a 5.48 ERA in his first eight games started this season, he’s thrown to a 2.33 ERA in his last four outings across 27 innings pitched. Three of his last four starts have come against either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Boston Red Sox, meaning he has found success of late against AL East rivals. The Blue Jays will look to change that narrative with another offensive outburst in today’s contest.
The only change in the Blue Jays lineup from yesterday’s game to today’s game is Yohendrick Pinango filling in at the two spot for Nathan Lukes in right field. Pinango will be accompanied by lefties Jesus Sanchez, hitting cleanup, and Andres Gimenez batting eighth. George Springer leads off once again with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the three hole, and Ernie Clement hitting fifth after driving in three runs Saturday.
Kazuma Okamoto had another two-for-four day at the plate yesterday, filling into the seven spot in the lineup, with Brandon Valenzuela catching his third straight game behind Kevin Gausman.
The Blue Jays will also be without Daulton Varsho for a second consecutive day, as he continues to recover from left wrist discomfort. Myles Straw fills in centre field.
Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada
First Pitch: 1:37 PM EST
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One, SN590
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 4-4 record, 3.36 ERA, 75.0 IP, 74 SO, 14 BB
Baltimore Orioles – Shane Baz: 3-5 record, 4.29 ERA, 71.1 IP, 63 SO, 29 BB
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – DH
- Yohendrick Pinango – RF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Jesus Sanchez – LF
- Ernie Clement – 2B
- Brandon Valenzuela – C
- Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
- Andres Gimenez – SS
- Myles Straw – CF
Orioles:
- Taylor Ward – LF
- Gunnar Henderson – SS
- Adley Rutschman – DH
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Samuel Basallo – C
- Colton Cowser – CF
- Tyler O’Neill – RF
- Jackson Holliday – 2B
- Blaze Alexander – 3B
Breaking News
- June 7 Gameday: Blue Jays go for series win over Orioles with Kevin Gausman on the mound
- Instant Reaction: Blue Jays beat Orioles behind big days from Clement and Valenzuela
- The Blue Jays should not carry three catchers when Alejandro Kirk returns
- June 6 Gameday: Blue Jays look to bounce back with a bullpen game
- Jake Bloss tosses four scoreless innings in latest rehab start in Dunedin