With a 4-1 win over the New York Yankees last night, the Toronto Blue Jays set a franchise record with their 11th consecutive home win. If the Blue Jays were to win tonight, not only would they clinch a series win, but they would also clinch the season series over the Yankees, something that may come in handy down the line if the gap between Toronto and New York shortens in September.

Last night’s win moved Toronto to four games ahead of New York for the AL East lead. On top of that victory, the out-of-town scoreboard was very generous to the Blue Jays last night as well, as the Tigers, Red Sox, Rays, and Mariners also lost.

It’ll be start number six in a Blue Jays uniform for Max Scherzer tonight. Scherzer is coming off his longest start of the season in Sacramento on July 11th, in which he tossed six innings and allowed five hits, three runs, eight strikeouts, and one walk. He had a shutout going through the first five innings with just three baserunners allowed, but the A’s finally got to him with a pair of home runs in his final inning of work.

For the five starts he’s made thus far, Scherzer has put up a 4.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, and 2.7 BB/9. He faced the Yankees back on June 30th at the Rogers Centre, retiring the first nine batters he faced and striking out Aaron Judge twice before allowing a two-run home run to Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the top of the 4th. That would be the lone mistake Scherzer made on the night, but his outing was cut short after just five innings and 71 pitches when he was feeling right thumb soreness.

The Blue Jays will get their first look at Yankees rookie starter Cam Schlittler tonight. Making just his second major league start, Schlittler made his debut on July 9th against the Mariners, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs, seven strikeouts, and two walks.

Seattle hit a pair of solo home runs off Schlittler, but the rookie pitched well enough to earn a win and strike Cal Raleigh out twice. He maxed out at 100 mph on his fastball and 93.8 mph on his slider, generating 10 whiffs between those two pitches on the night. He also featured a curveball, sinker, and sweeper, but did not throw those as much as the first two pitches mentioned.

Schlittler was in line to pitch in New York’s previous series against the Braves, but he was held out of that tilt after experiencing right biceps discomfort before the All-Star break. Schlittler underwent an MRI during the break, but it came back clean. Of the current Blue Jays roster, only Leo Jiménez faced Schlittler in the minor leagues, recording two hit-by-pitches against him in a triple-A game last season.

With a righty on the mound, Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger return to the lineup, hitting first and fifth, respectively. Fellow southpaws Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner are hitting the bottom of the order, with the latter holding a .333/.436/.485 slash line since he was recalled.

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario

First Pitch: 7:07 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Max Scherzer: 1-0 record, 4.70 ERA, 23 IP, 24 SO, 7 BB

New York Yankees – Cam Schlittler: 1-0 record, 5.06 ERA, 5 1/3 IP, 7 SO, 2 BB