Blue Jays GDB – 156.0: Jays seek to salvage series and division lead in finale against Royals
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Photo credit: © William Purnell-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Sep 21, 2025, 13:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 21, 2025, 13:54 EDT
Sunday’s game is the biggest game of the Toronto Blue Jays‘ season.
A win on Sunday would drop their magic number to clinch the American League East and the best record in the American League, while a Blue Jays loss paired with a New York Yankees win would drop their division lead to one game. The Jays also have the opportunity to clinch their postseason berth, either by winning Sunday’s game or with a Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Guardians loss.
The Jays are throwing Trey Yesavage into the fire, as the Blue Jays’ rookie is making his second career start. His first was a good one, giving up an earned run in the first inning, but finishing the game with nine strikeouts over five + innings pitched. Starting for the Royals is veteran Michael Wacha, who has a 3.79 ERA in 161.2 innings pitched this season. Last time out, Wacha gave up seven earned runs through two and two-thirds innings pitched; hopefully, something like that happens again.
As for the offence, the Blue Jays enter this game on a four-game losing streak, where they’ve finished with fewer than five hits in all of them. Since Monday, the Jays have had one game with six hits or more, as they have a league-worst 28 wRC+ in this span. Simply put, the bats need to get going or they’re going to squander the division lead.
George Springer bats lead-off, followed by Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. On Saturday evening, Varsho hit his first home run since September 3rd. Addison Barger bats clean up, followed by Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes. The Blue Jays’ bottom third is comprised of Ernie Clement, Andrés Giménez, and Tyler Heineman.
Let’s set up Sunday’s series finale, a near must-win game!

Location: Kansas City
First Pitch: 2:10 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN 590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Trey Yesavage: 0-0 record, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 9 SO, 2 BB
Kansas City Royals – Michael Wacha: 9-12 record, 3.79 ERA, 161.2 IP, 117 SO, 41 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. George Springer – DH
  2. Daulton Varsho – CF
  3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  4. Addison Barger – 3B
  5. Davis Schneider – LF
  6. Nathan Lukes – RF
  7. Ernie Clement – 2B
  8. Andrés Giménez – SS
  9. Tyler Heineman – C
Royals:
  1. Mike Yastrzemski – LF
  2. Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
  3. Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
  4. Mikael García – 3B
  5. Salvador Perez – DH
  6. Adam Fraizer – 2B
  7. Carter Jensen – C
  8. Jac Caglianone – RF
  9. John Rave – CF

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.