The Toronto Blue Jays bats remained in the racks last night, as the club could only muster four hits and zero earned runs despite Nathan Eovaldi leaving the game early. The barrage of relievers from the Rangers kept the Jays lineup in check and the club dropped a 2-0 game, wasting a strong start from Bowden Francis.

With a narrow win on Friday over Jacob deGrom and the Rangers, Toronto will look to secure the series win tonight in Arlington before heading back home to face the Athletics.

Toeing the rubber for the Blue Jays is right-hander Paxton Schultz, who rejoined the squad this past weekend in Tampa when Yimi Garcia landed on the IL with a shoulder impingement. The expectation will be that Schultz will get the start and make way for left-hander Eric Lauer, who likely carry the bulk on the outing. Getting six plus innings from both arms would bode a long way for the Jays bullpen corps, who don’t get the off-day tomorrow despite the late game tonight and the subsequent travelling back to Ontario.

Schultz owns a 2.53 ERA through 10 2/3 innings and four outings, working mostly in a bulk relief setting. This will be his first Major League start but has a history of starting dating back to 2021 to 2023 in the minor leagues.

With the Jays, Schultz boasts a 1.125 WHIP in the small sample size and has allowed just two earned runs off of nine hits. He’s allowed two homers compared to three walks and 13 strikeouts and owns an 11.0 K/9.

Opposite of Schultz tonight will be right-hander Tyler Mahle, who makes his 12th start of the season.

Mahle has been one of the hottest pitchers this season, authoring a minuscule 1.80 ERA and a 3.12 FIP through 60 innings of work. The veteran arm has allowed just 12 earned runs to date and enters tonight’s game with just five earned through his last three outings. A four-pitch mix arm, Mahle uses a deceptive four-seam fastball to put himself ahead of opposing bats (+7 run value). He also limits the home runs, authoring a league leading 0.3 HR/9 entering tonight’s game.

It’s an interesting lineup for the Jays. Bo Bichette gets the day off while Ernie Clement takes over at shortstop. Daulton Varsho will bat leadoff while Anthony Santander slots into the two-hole with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batting third. Ali Sanchez gets the start behind the plate.

The Rangers will see infielder Corey Seager return to the lineup, slotting in as the DH. Seager has been out since mid-May with a hamstring strain.

Location: Globe Life Field – Arlington, Texas

First Pitch: 8:05 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Paxton Schultz: 0-0 record, 2.53 ERA, 10 2/3 IP, 13 SO, 3 BB

Texas Rangers – Tyler Mahle: 5-2 record, 1.80 ERA, 60 IP, 43 SO, 21 BB