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June 9 Gameday: Dylan Cease returns as Blue Jays look to even series with Phillies
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Jun 9, 2026, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 9, 2026, 17:14 EDT
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After the Toronto Blue Jays dropped the opening game of the series 5-2 against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night, in which Cristopher Sánchez struck out 10, the Blue Jays will be turning to an ace of their own to try to even up the series.
Dylan Cease is set to return from the 15-day injured list after missing two turns through the rotation. In Cease’s absence, the club has been forced to continue to tax an already overworked bullpen, so his return should help cover some innings, especially after Patrick Corbin was only able to last three innings on Monday. 
Before heading to the IL on May 25, Cease had made 11 starts with the Blue Jays and posted a record of 3-3, an ERA of 3.05 and a WHIP of 1.21 across 62 innings pitched. The right-hander has recorded 92 strikeouts over his 11 starts, the fourth most in all of MLB. Cease made one rehab start in Triple-A on June 4 with the Buffalo Bisons and turned in a pitching line of 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. 
Countering Cease for the Phillies will be three-time All-Star Zack Wheeler. Wheeler opened the 2026 campaign on the IL but returned for his first start on April 25, and the results have been nothing short of dominant. In eight starts, Wheeler is 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. The right-hander has held opposing batters to a .171 average and has struck out 48 over his 50.1 innings pitched. 
If the Blue Jays’ offence is going to get to Wheeler on Tuesday, they need Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to break out of the funk he has found himself in over his past seven games. During that stretch, in which the Blue Jays have gone 3-4, Guerrero is 4-for-26 with one RBI and only two extra-base hits. 
For the season, Guerrero holds a .282 average, three home runs and 25 RBIs. The 27-year-old is the heartbeat of this Blue Jays’ lineup, and with the Blue Jays sitting at 32-35 even amidst a struggling Guerrero, they need him to get going to bump themselves out of the crowded American League Wild Card picture. 
One player to keep a close eye on in the Phillies’ lineup is leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber. While he’s not your prototypical leadoff guy, Schwarber is a threat every time he steps up to the plate, highlighted by his league-leading 23 home runs. Schwarber is batting .238 with 40 RBIs this season and is a career .300 hitter off of Cease, with two home runs in 10 at-bats. 
Here’s how the lineups look on Tuesday at Rogers Centre: 
Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada
First Pitch: 7:07 PM EST
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One / SN590 the Fan

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Dylan Cease: 3-3 record, 3.05 ERA, 62 IP, 92 SO, 26 BB
Philadelphia Phillies – Zack Wheeler: 5-1 record, 2.31 ERA, 50.2 IP, 48 SO, 12 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – DH
  2. Nathan Lukes – RF
  3. Ernie Clement – 2B
  4. Jesús Sánchez – LF
  5. Yohendrick Piñango – RF
  6. Brandon Valenzuela – C
  7. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
  8. Andrés Giménez – SS
  9. Charles McAdoo – 1B
Phillies:
  1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
  2. Trea Turner – SS
  3. Bryce Harper – 1B
  4. Brandon Marsh – LF
  5. Alec Bohm – 3B
  6. Bryson Stott – 2B
  7. J.T. Realmuto – C
  8. Adolis GarcÍa – RF
  9. Justin Crawford – CF

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