The Toronto Blue Jays have another losing streak.

After dropping the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday afternoon, the Blue Jays returned from a three-city road trip to host the Cleveland Guardians. In the series opener on Friday, Max Scherzer struggled from the get go, with the Jays finally getting out of the top of the first down 5-0. They got close to tying it a handful of times, but ultimately fell 8-6.

Still, it was the fifth consecutive game where the bats started to look like they did in 2025. In the series finale against the Diamondbacks last Sunday, the Jays scored eight runs in the first. In their series opener against the Angels, small ball earned them the victory. Tuesday’s game saw them come from behind late to win, and they nearly did the same in the series finale on Wednesday, before an exhausted bullpen gave up four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Friday evening’s game saw the Blue Jays hit two home runs. Kazuma Okamoto went deep for the fourth time this season, as he has seemingly adapted to big league pitching. Jesús Sánchez hit his third home run of the season and looks to be the team’s cleanup hitter for the foreseeable future, at least against right-handed pitching. Add in a few doubles, and the Blue Jays’ bats found success on Friday, they just couldn’t overcome Scherzer’s outing.

Thankfully, their ace is on the mound for Saturday afternoon’s game. Kevin Gausman is off to a terrific start in 2026, authoring a 2.54 ERA and 2.21 FIP in 28.1 innings pitched, with a 31 K% and 5.3 BB%. The right-handed pitcher hasn’t dominated in his last three starts as he did his first two, but he threw six innings last Sunday, giving up two earned runs. On top of that, the Blue Jays have won his last two starts.

As for the Guardians, left-handed pitcher Joey Cantillo will make the start. This is the 26-year-old’s third season in the big leagues, and his first season as a full-time starter. In 2025, he made 13 starts in 34 appearances and finished with a 3.21 ERA and 3.55 FIP. He’s posted similar numbers this season, a 3.20 ERA and 3.84 FIP in 25.1 innings pitched. Like Gavin Williams, Friday’s starter, Cantillo notches the strikeouts (29.1%) but also issues free passes (11.7 BB%).

The Blue Jays turn to their “lefty lineup”. With half the team injured, including Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw will lead-off Saturday’s game, followed by Ernie Clement and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Sánchez, who has struggled against left-handed pitching throughout of his career, is on the bench, meaning Kazuma Okamoto moves to the cleanup spot.

On Friday, Eloy Jiménez grounded into a double play in the bottom of the ninth, essentially ending their chances of winning the game. Still, the 29-year-old is off to a great start since being called up for the injured George Springer, and Jiménez bats fifth.

One of two lefties in the Blue Jays lineup is Daulton Varsho, who bats sixth. It’s a small sample size, but Varsho is batting .300 in 23 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Andrés Giménez is the other left-handed hitter in the lineup, and he bats eighth. Sandwiched between the two lefties is Davis Schneider. Batting ninth for the third consecutive game is Tyler Heineman.

Let’s set up Saturday afternoon’s game!

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 1-1 record, 2.54 ERA, 28.1 IP, 35 SO, 6 BB

Cleveland Guardians – Joey Cantillo:  1-0 record, 3.20 ERA, 25.1 IP, 30 SO, 12 BB