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May 28 Gameday: Blue Jays visit Orioles for first time in 2026
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Photo credit: © James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 28, 2026, 17:30 EDTUpdated: May 28, 2026, 18:08 EDT
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This weekend, the Toronto Blue Jays have a chance at reaching .500 for the first time since early April.
They’ll travel to Maryland to kick-start a four-game weekend series against their American League East rival, the Baltimore Orioles. It’s the first matchup against the two teams named after a bird, and the Orioles are the final AL East opponent the Blue Jays have yet to play this season.
Coming into this series, the Blue Jays have won seven of their last 11 series, earning a series split in two other four-game series, and losing two series to the Tampa Bay Rays. If they can win the weekend series, they’ll leave Maryland with a record of 29-29 (3-1) or 31-29 (4-0).
Starting for the Orioles is former Blue Jay, Chris Bassitt. The 37-year-old’s start with the Orioles hasn’t been great, authoring a 5.51 ERA and 4.38 FIP in 47.1 innings pitched, making eight starts in the 10 games he’s appeared in. This month, he’s given up three or more runs in three of his four outings, with one quality start mixed in on May 10th.
While it was not the Blue Jays’ plan to begin the season, Patrick Corbin has filled a back-end-of-the-rotation spot that Bassitt left when he departed. This season, Corbin has a 3.86 ERA and 3.95 FIP in 44.1 innings pitched. Last time out, he threw six one-run innings, outdueling Paul Skenes in the process. They’ll need a good performance from Corbin, as the Jays’ starter for Friday is still to be determined.
It appears like pitching prospect Chad Dallas could be an option for Friday’s game, as he reportedly had a locker Thursday afternoon, before the nameplate was removed. Whenever he’s called up, it’ll be his big league debut. Charles McAdoo will make his big league debut at some point this season after officially being added to the team’s roster on Thursday, though he’s not in the starting lineup.
As has been the case for much of the season against right-handed pitchers, there are four left-handed hitters, four right-handed hitters, and a switch-hitter in the Blue Jays’ lineup. Leading off is George Springer, who has played well since their four-game series against the New York Yankees.
Following Springer is left-handed outfielder Nathan Lukes, who picked up right where he left off once returning from the injured list. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits third, and is followed by Daulton Varsho. The big hit of Wednesday’s game belonged to Kazuma Okamoto, who hit his 11th home run of the season, he’s batting fifth.
Jesús Sánchez hit the big home run in Tuesday evening’s game, the team’s second grand slam of the season, with the left-handed batting outfield batting sixth. Making up the bottom third of their lineup is Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez, and Brandon Valenzuela.
Let’s set up Thursday’s series opener!
Location: Baltimore
First Pitch: 6:35 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, Sportsnet One, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Patrick Corbin: 2-1 record, 3.86 ERA, 44.1 IP, 32 SO, 13 BB
Baltimore Orioles – Chris Bassitt: 4-3 record, 5.51 ERA, 47.1 IP, 34 SO, 19 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. George Springer – DH
  2. Nathan Lukes – LF
  3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  4. Daulton Varsho – CF
  5. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
  6. Jesús Sánchez – RF
  7. Ernie Clement – 2B
  8. Andrés Giménez – SS
  9. Brandon Valenzuela – C
Orioles:
  1. Taylor Ward – DH
  2. Gunnar Henderson – SS
  3. Adley Rutschman – C
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Coby Mayo – 3B
  6. Leody Taveras – CF
  7. Tyler O’Neill – RF
  8. Jackson Holliday – 2B
  9. Blaze Alexander – LF
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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