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September 23 Gameday: CJ Van Eyk makes first career start in series finale against Orioles
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Sep 23, 2026, 18:42 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays have officially been eliminated from postseason contention. 
Following a 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the doubleheader, the Blue Jays saw their playoff dreams come to a crashing end.
Even after months of playing subpar baseball, the opportunity to reach the playoffs remained, but a 2-6 stretch over the past week and a half has sealed the fate of the 2026 campaign. 
With the playoffs out of reach, the Blue Jays will turn to CJ Van Eyk, as they look to salvage the series finale in Baltimore. Through four games with the Blue Jays this season, Van Eyk is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.95 WHIP. The right-hander has struck out one batter across 6.2 innings pitched and has been hit at a .355 clip. 
In Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons this season, Van Eyk pitched in 24 games (18 starts) and went 7-5 with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Opponents were able to hit .259 off the 28-year-old, and he struck out 77 batters over his 112 frames. 
Countering Van Eyk for the Orioles is right-hander Trey Gibson. Through eight games (seven starts) this season, Gibson is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP. The 24-year-old has struck out 30 batters over 33 innings but has allowed opponents to hit .284, including seven home runs during that span. 
Recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the start of the second game, Gibson’s last appearance at the major league level came on June 30, when the righty was tagged for eight earned runs over 2.2 innings against the Chicago White Sox. 
Across 20 starts this season with Norfolk, Gibson went 4-7 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Gibson struck out 86 batters over 91.2 innings pitched. Listed as the Orioles’ No. 17-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, Gibson has yet to face the Blue Jays in his young career. 
Here is how the lineups look for game two of the doubleheader:
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore, Maryland
First Pitch: 6:35 p.m. ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – CJ Van Eyk: 0-1 record, 4.05 ERA, 6.2 IP, 1 SO, 2 BB
Baltimore Orioles – Trey Gibson: 1-3 record, 7.36 ERA, 33 IP, 30 SO, 25 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. Nathan Lukes – RF
  2. Josh Smith – 2B
  3. Alejandro Kirk – C
  4. Kazuma Okamoto – DH
  5. Sean Keys – 1B
  6. Davis Schneider – LF
  7. Charles McAdoo – 3B
  8. Myles Straw – CF
  9. Ernie Clement – SS
Orioles:
  1. Dylan Beavers – RF
  2. Pete Alonso – 1B
  3. Gunnar Henderson – SS
  4. Coby Mayo – 3B
  5. Christian Encarnacion-Strand – DH
  6. Colton Cowser – CF
  7. Jeremiah Jackson – 2B
  8. Christian Franklin – LF
  9. Yohel Pozo – C

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