July 22 Gameday: Blue Jays turn to bullpen day looking to avoid series loss to Rays
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jul 22, 2026, 18:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 22, 2026, 18:25 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays have not looked good out of the All-Star break.
They were beaten down 12-4 in the first game back, won the next one 1-0, but fell 3-0 in the series finale to the Chicago White Sox. This series against the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t treated them much better, falling 7-1 on Monday and 12-2 on Tuesday.
Mustering just eight runs in the five games, the Blue Jays are now a season-low nine games below .500. With the trade deadline looming, this team is going to look quite a bit different following August 3rd’s trade deadline, barring a massive turnaround.
Including Wednesday evening’s game against the Rays, there are just 11 games remaining, meaning they need to go 10-1 to reach .500 before the deadline. Weirder things have happened, but this season is looking like a wash.
It doesn’t help that the Blue Jays haven’t really had a set rotation all season. Once again, then turn to a bullpen day, with Braydon Fisher set to start and Spencer Miles set to pitch the bulk of the game. The Rays counter with Griffin Jax, who has a 4.08 ERA in 75 innings of work this season.
Ernie Clement and Nathan Lukes have been two of the most productive hitters since the end of the All-Star break, and they bat first and second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follows them, and George Springer bats cleanup. The recently recalled Yohendrick Piñango bats fifth, followed by Alejandro Kirk, Daulton Varsho, Sean Keys, and Andrés Giménez.
Hopefully, they can get something going here. Let’s set up Wednesday’s game.
Location: Toronto
First Pitch: 7:07 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – Braydon Fisher: 3-3 record, 3.65 ERA, 49.1 IP, 50 SO, 22 BB
Tampa Bay Rays – Griffin Jax: 5-7 record, 4.08 ERA, 75 IP, 77 SO, 26 BB
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- Ernie Clement – 2B
- Nathan Lukes – RF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- George Springer – DH
- Yohendrick Piñango – LF
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Daulton Varsho – CF
- Sean Keys – 3B
- Andrés Giménez – SS
Rays:
- Yandy Díaz – DH
- Jonathan Aranda – 1B
- Junior Caminero – 3B
- Cedric Mullins – CF
- Chandler Simpson – LF
- Victor Mesa Jr. – RF
- Taylor Walls – SS
- Richie Palacios – 2B
- Hunter Feduccia – C
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
Breaking News
- July 22 Gameday: Blue Jays turn to bullpen day looking to avoid series loss to Rays
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- Former Blue Jay Nate Pearson traded from Houston Astros to Kansas City Royals
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