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June 10 Gameday: Max Scherzer returns as Blue Jays look for series win against Phillies

Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

By Michael Coyle

Jun 10, 2026, 17:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 10, 2026, 17:13 EDT

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The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to make it two wins and two consecutive series wins on Wednesday night when they host the Philadelphia Phillies.

After Tuesday night’s thrilling 3-2 victory, courtesy of Brandon Valenzuela’s walk-off single, the Blue Jays (33-35) will hand the ball to veteran Max Scherzer. The 41-year-old was activated from the 15-day injured list before first pitch, which will be his first start with the Blue Jays since April 24.

Scherzer returns after two rehab outings in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons, and the right-hander should be set for a close to a full workload after topping out at 73 pitches during his most recent outing last Friday. In two starts, Scherzer posted a 0-1 record, 4.05 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 6.2 innings pitched.

The veteran righty has made five big league starts this season, where he has a 1-3 record, 9.64 ERA, and 1.61 WHIP over his 18.2 innings pitched. Scherzer has been hit hard this season, posting a .297 average against, and has struggled to keep the ball in the park, allowing seven long balls across his five outings.

One player who is starting to heat up for the Phillies (36-31) after a slow start and has enjoyed hitting off Scherzer is Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott. Over his past seven games, Stott is hitting .318 with four RBIs, including last night’s go-ahead RBI double in the top of the ninth inning off of Blue Jays closer Louis Varland. For his career off Scherzer, Stott is 8-for-13 with two RBIs and holds an OPS of 1.335.

On the mound for the Phillies in the series finale is left-hander Jesús Luzardo. The 28-year-old will be making his 14th start of the season on Wednesday night and is 4-4 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Luzardo is coming off a 2025 season in which he finished fifth in the majors with 15 wins, and tied for fourth in strikeouts with 216, just one more than Dylan Cease.

The lefty harnesses the ability to get swing-and-miss, as he has punched out 80 batters across 73 innings, but has seen his batting average against tick up from .240 last year to .270 through his 14 starts this year.

While not many of the Blue Jays’ roster has faced Luzardo, one player who has seen success in limited at-bats is George Springer. Springer is 3-for-6 with a home run in his career off of Luzardo and could certainly use a strong night to get himself going, as he is currently mired in a 4-for-27 slump over his past seven games.

Through 46 games this year, Springer is batting .202 with five home runs and 14 RBIs. With the Blue Jays getting desperate for offence, Springer’s everyday position in the designated hitter spot could be in question with the return of Alejandro Kirk, coupled with a surging Valenzuela.

Here’s how the lineups look for the series finale at Rogers Centre:

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada

First Pitch: 7:07 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One / SN590 the Fan