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August 7 Gameday: José Soriano makes Blue Jays debut in series opener against Phillies
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Photo credit: © Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Tristan Morgan
Aug 7, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 7, 2026, 17:52 EDT
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The Trade Deadline dust has barely settled for the Toronto Blue Jays, and already, they are turning the page by handing the ball to a brand new face Friday night.
As the club opens a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park against the Philadelphia Phillies, sitting at 54-62, the roster is noticeably different from what it was a week ago, and tonight’s series opener is as good a snapshot as any of a franchise in the middle of retooling.
José Soriano gets the ball for his Toronto debut Friday night, as the team and fans get their first look at the frontline starter in blue. Across 123 innings in 22 starts with the Los Angeles Angels, the right-hander posted a 3.29 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and 127 strikeouts, good for 9.3 punchouts per nine. He has been remarkably steady, too, allowing three earned runs or fewer in ten of his last 12 outings. 
What should translate especially well in Toronto is Soriano’s knack for keeping the ball in the yard; Soriano carries a minuscule 0.7 career HR/9, and he now inherits a defence that ranks 11th in the majors with 20 defensive runs saved. Against a Phillies club that has slugged 145 home runs this season, eighth-most in MLB, that combination of a groundball-friendly arm and a strong defence should play well for Toronto.
The Phillies’ power is real, but it may be the only thing carrying their offence right now. Philadelphia sits 15th in runs scored with 512, 21st in batting average at .239 and 20th in OPS at .709, a true all-or-nothing profile. However, their Trade Deadline addition of Luis Arráez has begun to round out the lineup, with the help of shortstop Trea Turner, who has been scorching over his last ten games, going 14 for 43 in that stretch.
Standing opposite Soriano is Zack Wheeler, squarely in the Cy Young conversation after another dominant campaign. Through 105 innings in 18 starts, Wheeler has a 2.49 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP and 126 strikeouts, translating to 10.8 K/9, and those numbers would look even better if not for an injury that cost him time in April.
He ranks in the 90th percentile or better among qualified starters in xERA (2.59), chase rate (36.6 percent) and strikeout rate (31.3 percent), and he draws a Blue Jays lineup that has become the league’s soft spot. Toronto is averaging a MLB-worst 3.89 runs per game, ranking 30th in on-base percentage at .302, 28th in home runs with 110, and 30th in OPS at .678. Even middling arms have given this group trouble in 2026.
There is a fresh look to the roster that gives some reason for optimism, though. Outfielder Brett Bateman has been selected to the active roster and will be making his MLB debut Friday, playing centre field and batting ninth. The Jays’ No. 20 ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline was part of their return in the Kevin Gausman trade with the Chicago Cubs, arriving alongside infield prospect Ty Southisene.
Bateman has more than earned the call, slashing .312/.430/.421 with three home runs, 33 RBIs and 20 stolen bases across 84 games at Triple-A. Primarily a centre fielder with a strong defensive reputation and 70-grade speed, Bateman already flashed some leather in a highlight-reel grab during just his second game with the Buffalo Bisons.
The outfielder’s roster spot opened up after infielder Luis Urías landed on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain suffered rounding first base against the Cubs on Thursday. Urías had been a pleasant surprise since arriving in an earlier trade, holding a .776 OPS with three home runs and eight RBIs.
His absence pushes newly acquired utility man Josh Smith, acquired from the Texas Rangers, further into the infield mix as he gets the start at third base Friday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has also missed the starting lineup for three consecutive games with hamstring tightness, as Kazuma Okamoto gets the start at first base. However, Guerrero Jr. is reportedly feeling better and trending back to being in the lineup for Saturday’s affair, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. 
Two clubs heading in very different directions in the standings meet with some fresh faces on the away side. For Toronto, it is a night about first impressions, from Soriano’s debut on the mound to Bateman getting his first taste of the big leagues. For the Phillies, it is business as usual behind one of baseball’s best arms. With 46 games to go, pressure is mounting every day as Toronto attempts a Hail Mary bid to sneak into the Wild Card race.
Location: Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA
First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – José Soriano: 9-6, 3.29 ERA, 123.0 IP, 127 SO, 57 BB
Philadelphia Phillies – Zack Wheeler: 10-2, 2.49 ERA, 105.0 IP, 126 SO, 23 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. Nathan Lukes – RF
  2. Alejandro Kirk – C
  3. Jesús Sánchez – LF
  4. George Springer – DH
  5. Kazuma Okamoto – 1B
  6. Andrés Giménez – SS
  7. Ernie Clement – 2B
  8. Josh Smith – 3B
  9. Brett Bateman – CF
Phillies:
  1. Kyle Schwarber – DH
  2. Trea Turner – SS
  3. Bryce Harper – RF
  4. Luis Arráez – 2B
  5. Alec Bohm – 1B
  6. Brandon Marsh – LF
  7. J.T. Realmuto – C
  8. Bryson Stott – 3B
  9. Justin Crawford – CF
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