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Blue Jays Gameday (May 20): Toronto searching for better fortunes against the Yankees
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Photo credit: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 20, 2026, 16:30 EDTUpdated: May 20, 2026, 16:27 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees have engaged in two one-run battles at Yankee Stadium to open their four-game set. Unfortunately for Blue Jays fans, the Yankees have prevailed in both, taking Monday’s contest 7-6 and last night’s affair 5-4. 
48 games into the 2026 regular season now, the Blue Jays hold a record of 21-27, 11.5 games back of the American League East leading Tampa Bay Rays, and two games out of the final Wild Card spot. With 114 games remaining, a 3-8 record against A.L. East opponents to begin 2026 has raised concerns that this version of the Blue Jays remains a step below their division rivals. 
The power disparity has been a big reason why the Yankees find themselves with a 30-19 record. The Yankees lead the majors in home runs with 73 and are fourth in runs scored with 249. Comparing those numbers to the Blue Jays, who rank 20th in home runs with 44 and 23rd in runs scored with 198, it’s easy to see why one club has achieved more success early on. 
One bright spot for the Blue Jays as of late has been the production coming from Daulton Varsho. After a 4-for-5 showing on Tuesday, Varsho is now batting .278 with five home runs and 15 RBIs on the season. The 29-year-old has been locked in over his past seven games, batting .385, and using all parts of the field to do damage. The hot streak continues to push Varsho further up the lineup, as manager John Schneider tries to search for offence throughout his lineup. 
Ben Rice is becoming a major threat in the Yankees’ lineup. The 27-year-old showed why he leads MLB in both slugging and OPS last night, driving a Dylan Cease fastball – which wasn’t a bad pitch by any means – 366 feet to right field for a two-run shot, raising his season home run total to 16. Rice and Aaron Judge both have hit 16 home runs this season, giving the Yankees’ lineup a dangerous duo atop their lineup. 
The Yankees will hand the ball to right-hander Cam Schlittler. The 25-year-old has dominated to open 2026, posting a 6-1 record, a league-leading 1.35 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP across his first 10 starts. Over 60 innings, Schlittler has struck out 68 batters and held opposing teams to a .168 average against. 
Schlittler’s most recent outing against the Blue Jays came during Game 4 of the ALDS. The right-hander was charged with the loss, turning in a pitching line of 6.1, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, and has admitted he’s had this matchup with the Blue Jays circled on his calendar. 
“I think I’ll be pretty locked in for that game,” Schlittler said. “I’m excited to face them again.”
The Blue Jays are countering with a rookie phenom of their own, right-hander Trey Yesavage. After missing the start of the regular season due to a right shoulder impingement, Yesavage has looked strong over four starts. The 22-year-old is 1-1 with a 1.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and has struck out 21 batters across 19 1/3 innings. 
In his most recent outing in Detroit, Yesavage completed six innings for the first time this year, and reached 88 pitches, one more than the 2026 high of 87. Many Blue Jays fans remember Game 2 of the ALDS, where Yesavage burst onto the playoff scene, striking out 11 Yankees hitters over 5 1/3 hitless frames. 
If the Blue Jays are hoping to secure a split in the Bronx, the path to two straight wins begins with Yesavage limiting the potent Yankees lineup. 
Here’s how the lineups look for Wednesday night’s contest in New York: 
Location: Bronx, New York
First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet ONE, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Trey Yesavage: 1-1 record, 1.40 ERA, 19.1 IP, 21 SO, 8 BB
New York Yankees – Cam Schlittler: 6-1 record, 1.35 ERA, 60 IP, 68 SO, 11 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:
  1. George Springer – DH
  2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  3. Daulton Varsho – CF
  4. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
  5. Yohendrick Piñango – LF
  6. Ernie Clement – 2B
  7. Jesús Sánchez – RF
  8. Brandon Valenzuela – C
  9. Andrés Giménez – SS
Yankees:
  1. Ben Rice – DH
  2. Aaron Judge – RF
  3. Cody Bellinger – LF
  4. Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B
  5. Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
  6. Trent Grisham – CF
  7. Ryan McMahon – 3B
  8. Anthony Volpe – SS
  9. Austin Wells – C

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