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Blue Jays GDB – 162.0: Jays can clinch the American League East with a victory in series finale
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Sep 28, 2025, 14:30 EDTUpdated: Sep 28, 2025, 14:47 EDT
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The goal for the Toronto Blue Jays in Sunday’s season finale is a win.
That’s all the Blue Jays need to clinch the best record in the American League East, as well as the American League. The last time the Blue Jays finished atop the American League East was in 2015, and the last time they finished with the best record in the American League was in 1992 and 1993.
It won’t be easy, as the Tampa Bay Rays have Ian Seymour on the mound. Last time out against the Blue Jays on September 17, he threw seven scoreless innings, not allowing an earned run and striking out three. The Baltimore Orioles got to him in the left-handed pitcher’s most recent start, as he went just four innings with three earned runs allowed.
Needing a win, the Blue Jays counter with Kevin Gausman, who is projected to be the Blue Jays’ Game 1 starter if the Jays clinch. He had a rough time out in his last start, giving up four earned runs in five and two-thirds innings pitched, the first time he didn’t get through six since August 18th. That said, Gausman pitched better than the score suggested.
So with a left-handed pitcher on the mound for the Rays, who do the Jays have in the lineup? George Springer leads off, Davis Schneider bats second, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bats third, and Anthony Santander cleans up. After Santander, Daulton Varsho bats fifth, Alejandro Kirk bats sixth, Addison Barger bats seventh, Ernie Clement bats eighth, and Myles Straw bats ninth.
The Rays aren’t running their best lineup. Yandy Díaz and Chandler Simpson are both on the bench. Also in the American League East, the New York Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles. A Yankees loss clinches the division for the Blue Jays, no matter what, but the Orioles are putting their best available lineup on the field.
Let’s set up Sunday’s season finale.
Location: Toronto
First Pitch: 3:07 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN 590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 10-11 record, 3.47 ERA, 187.1 IP, 184 SO, 48 BB
Tampa Bay Rays – Ian Seymour: 4-2 record, 2.85 ERA, 53.2 IP, 57 SO, 17 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. George Springer – DH
  2. Davis Schneider – 2B
  3. Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
  4. Anthony Santander – RF
  5. Daulton Varsho – CF
  6. Alejandro Kirk – C
  7. Addison Barger – 3B
  8. Ernie Clement – SS
  9. Myles Straw – LF
Tampa Bay Rays:
  1. Richie Palacios – LF
  2. Junior Caminero – 3B
  3. Jonathan Aranda – DH
  4. Josh Lowe – RF
  5. Jake Magnum – CF
  6. Hunter Feduccia – C
  7. Tristian Gray – 2B
  8. Carson Williams – SS
  9. Bob Seymour – 1B
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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