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Blue Jays Gameday (April 19): Toronto looks to avoid being swept for the second time in 2026
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Photo credit: © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Apr 19, 2026, 15:30 EDTUpdated: Apr 19, 2026, 15:42 EDT
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Once again, the Toronto Blue Jays are on a lengthy losing streak.
The first two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t gone well. On Friday, they fell 6-3, then gave up a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth in a 6-2 loss on Saturday. Their losing streak now sits at four games, after dropping the last two against the Milwaukee Brewers.
There’s some good news, as Kevin Gausman is set to get the ball for the Blue Jays. He’s been their best starter this season, posting a 2.42 ERA and 2.18 FIP over his first four starts. He’s also given the team some length, going 22.1 innings and pitching into the sixth innings in three of his four starts.
That said, his last time out against the Brewers didn’t go so well. In five innings of work, he gave up three earned runs on a three run home run, while walking three and striking out five. The Blue Jays found a way to get the win, their most recent victory.
Pitching isn’t the Blue Jays main problem, though. The injuries continue to pile up, as Daulton Varsho is out of the lineup for the second consecutive game. Of course, they’re also missing George Springer, Addison Barger, and Alejandro Kirk, giving them a very thin lineup.
Nathan Lukes will lead off, getting his first in April on Friday, then going 3-5 on Saturday. Ernie Clement is in the two-hole, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting third. Jesús Sánchez has found a home in the cleanup spot, and he’s followed by Eloy Jiménez. Since coming up to the big league, the Jiménez is slashing .333/.385/.333 with four singles.
Andrés Giménez has been the team’s best hitter in the first few weeks of the season, as he’s slashing .274/.312/.466 with three home runs in 78 plate appearances. He’ll bat sixth on Sunday. The bottom third of their lineup consists of the struggling Kazuma Okamoto, Myles Straw, and Brandon Valenzuela.
Let’s set up Sunday’s series finale.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
First Pitch: 4:10 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet 1, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 0-1 record, 2.42 ERA, 22.1 IP, 31 SO, 5 BB
Arizona Diamondbacks – Ryne Nelson: 1-1 record, 3.54 ERA, 20.1 IP, 19 SO, 8 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. Nathan Lukes – RF
  2. Ernie Clement – 2B
  3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  4. Jesús Sánchez – LF
  5. Eloy Jiménez – DH
  6. Andrés Giménez – SS
  7. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
  8. Myles Straw – CF
  9. Brandon Valenzuela – C
Diamondbacks:
  1. Ketel Marte – 2B
  2. Corbin Carroll – RF
  3. José Fernández – SS
  4. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – LF
  5. Adrian Del Castillo – DH
  6. Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
  7. Nolan Arenado – 3B
  8. James McCann – C
  9. Alek Thomas – CF
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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