September 19 Gameday: José Soriano starts as Blue Jays look to even series with Rangers
Photo credit: © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2026, 19:08 EDT
With just eight games, the Toronto Blue Jays are just playing for pride at this point.
On Friday evening, the Blue Jays suffered another setback by falling 7-1 to the Texas Rangers. Entering play two games behind the wild card, they have nearly no more time to make up the wins required to make the playoffs. They’re magic number for elimination is now six.
Would they even be able to do anything if they made the playoffs? Probably not. A season-long trend has been their lethargic offence, and it isn’t going to suddenly turn it on if they make the postseason. Add in an injured rotation and an overworked bullpen, it’s time to punt this season.
Still, there are games to be played before the playoffs begin, and who knows if there is even a season in 2027.
Starting for the Blue Jays is José Soriano. Last time out, he threw a perfect game into the sixth and a no-hitter into the seventh before surrendering four earned runs. The Jays took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a Kazuma Okamoto three-run blast, but the Detroit Tigers scored two runs in the final two innings in a 6-5 defeat.
Had the Jays held on to the lead in that game, they would’ve ended the night in the final wild card spot. Instead, they have lost three of their last four, and seven of their last 11 games. You can’t make the playoffs by playing like that in September.
Port Hope, Ontario product Cal Quantrill starts for the Rangers. The 31-year-old right is having one of his best seasons of his career, entering this game with a 2.90 ERA in 108.2 innings of work. In his 17 innings of work against the Blue Jays, Quantrill has surrendered just three earned runs over three starts, good for a 1.59 ERA.
With the righty on the mound, the Blue Jays have a handful of left-handed batters in the lineup. Brett Bateman leads off, Nathan Lukes bats fifth, Josh Smith bats seventh, and Andrés Giménez bats eighth. This will be Giménez’s first game since last Tuesday.
Also in the lineup are Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alejandro Kirk, George Springer, Kazuma Okamoto, and Myles Straw.
Let’s set up Saturday evening’s game!
Location: Arlington, Texas
First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – José Soriano: 12-7 record, 3.56 ERA, 169.1 IP, 159 SO, 72BB
Texas Ranger – Cal Quantrill: 9-5 record, 2.90 ERA, 108.2 IP, 81 SO, B25 B
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- Brett Bateman – CF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- George Springer – DH
- Nathan Lukes – RF
- Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
- Josh Smith – 2B
- Andrés Giménez – SS
- Myles Straw – LF
Rangers:
- Ezequiel Durán – SS
- Corey Seager – DH
- Josh Jung – 3B
- Brandon Nimmo – RF
- Wyatt Langford – LF
- Jake Burger – 1B
- Nicky Lopez – 2B
- Danny Jansen – C
- Evan Carter – CF
Breaking News
- What Trey Yesavage’s return means for the Blue Jays
- Blue Jays’ Shane Bieber set to miss remainder of regular season, could return for playoffs
- Instant Reaction: Blue Jays’ offence nowhere to be found in 7-1 loss to Rangers
- Canadian Futures Showcase kicks off at Nat Bailey Stadium
- September 18 Gameday: Blue Jays head to Arlington for crucial three-game series against Rangers