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Blue Jays GDB – 97.0: Jays host Giants coming off All-Star break
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 18, 2025, 18:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 18, 2025, 18:56 EDT
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After a lengthy All-Star break, the Toronto Blue Jays are back in action.
On Friday, they start a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, after dropping two of three to the Athletics before the All-Star Game.
This series will be the first time Matt Chapman has returned to Rogers Centre since 2023 when he signed with the Giants. So far this season, the former Blue Jay third baseman is slashing .237/.349/.424 with 12 home runs in 307 plate appearances.
Also returning to Rogers Centre is Justin Verlander. Although he never pitched for the Blue Jays, the last time he was in Toronto was back in 2019 was when he pitched a no-hitter. Thankfully, he’s not in his prime anymore, as Verlander has a 4.70 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 76.2 innings pitched, with a 19.9 K% and 7.7 BB%.
Starting for the Blue Jays is Chris Bassitt, who’ll appear in his second consecutive game. Of course, that’s because he threw just an inning last Sunday before the lengthy break. So far this season, the veteran righty has a 4.12 ERA and 3.78 FIP in 107 innings pitched.
Since George Springer won the American League Player of the Week, he’s slashing just .087/.160/.130 with two hits (one double) in 25 plate appearances. Hopefully, he can get back on track on Friday evening. Springer is batting second in the lineup.
Nathan Lukes leads off once again, followed by Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Bo Bichette cleans up, followed by Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk. The musical chairs that is the bottom third is comprised of Joey Loperfido, Ernie Clement, and Will Wagner.
Let’s set up Friday’s game against the Giants!
Location: Toronto
First Pitch: 7:07 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Chris Bassitt: 9-4 record, 4.12 ERA, 107 IP, 104 SO, 29 BB
San Francisco Giants – Justin Verlander: 0-7 record, 4.70 ERA, 76.2 IP, 67 SO, 26 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. Nathan Lukes – CF
  2. George Springer – DH
  3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  4. Bo Bichette – SS
  5. Addison Barger – RF
  6. Alejandro Kirk – C
  7. Joey Loperfido – LF
  8. Ernie Clement – 2B
  9. Will Wagner – 3B
Giants:
  1. Mike Yastrzemski – RF
  2. Heliot Ramos – LF
  3. Rafael Devers – DH
  4. Matt Chapman – 3B
  5. Willy Adames – SS
  6. Jung Hoo Lee – CF
  7. Casey Schmidtt – 2B
  8. Dominic Smith – 1B
  9. Patrick Bailey – C
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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