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Series Preview: Blue Jays host Cardinals in final series before trade deadline
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Photo credit: © Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 31, 2026, 16:30 EDTUpdated: Jul 31, 2026, 16:42 EDT
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There’s now just one more series before the 2026 trade deadline.
After taking two of three from the high-octane Washington Nationals to begin the week, the Toronto Blue Jays kick-off a three-game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
There’s a very real chance that this will be the final series that Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Daulton Varsho are on the team for. George Springer is a maybe, as he has the power to veto thanks to 10-5 rights. Other maybes include Jeff Hoffman, Myles Straw, and Jesús Sánchez, as all three have been trade rumours as of late.
It’s been an incredibly disappointing season, even more than the 2024 season was, due in large part to the expectations that the 2025 season created. They’re still just five and half games back of the final wild card, but there are ton of teams to jump and the Jays just haven’t looked good all season.
But what about their fellow bird-based team, the Cardinals?

Examining the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals were trending towards being buyers entering July, owning a 46-39 record on July 4th. Since then, they’ve gone 8-16, falling to three games below the final National League wild card spot. It’s been a horrid July for the Cardinals, but the Blue Jays haven’t been much better.
If the Blue Jays want any hope of making the playoffs, now is the time to get going, and a sub-par opponent gives them a chance to perhaps change the front office’s mind before the August 3rd trade deadline. As much as the Cardinals have struggled this season, it won’t be easy.
The Cardinals have a strong rotation, as it’s posted a 4.07 ERA (10th) and 3.99 FIP (11th). This season, their starters have a 19.8 K%, which is not only the third lowest among any rotation, but also means they’re looking for contact outs. That isn’t good news for the Blue Jays, who rarely strike out but swing at everything outside the zone. Cardinals’ starters have surrendered 66 home runs, tied for sixth-fewest in the league alongside the Blue Jays.
If the Blue Jays want to score runs this series, their best bet is to do it against the Cardinals’ relief pitchers. This season, their bullpen has a 4.33 ERA (10th-worst) and 4.27 FIP (12th-worst) with a 20.3 K% (tied for sixth-worst). Their bullpen’s one saving grace is a lack of home runs given up, with their 42 being tied for the eighth-fewest.
Offence has been the Cardinals’ main issue this season. As a group, they’re slashing .239/.315/.378, good for a 94 wRC+, eighth-worst in Major League Baseball. They have a low 20.3 K%, fourth-lowest in MLB, but have hit just 113 home runs, eighth-fewest in baseball.

One player to watch: Jordan Walker

The best hitter of the group is Jordan Walker, who has finally emerged an important member of the Cardinals’ offence.
Formerly a top 100 prospect, Walker had a solid rookie campaign where he smacked 16 home runs over 465 plate appearances, but his next two season saw him hit just 11 long-balls over 574 plate appearances. Something has clearly changed in 2026, as the right fielder is slashing .281/.342/.496 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 130 wRC+.
Shutting down Walker will be key for the Blue Jays’ pitching staff this weekend.

Quick Hits

  • That pitching staff is subject to change. Both Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer are on expiring deals, and both are scheduled to pitch this week. Even the Blue Jays’ bullpen hasn’t been safe from rumours, as Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Rogers have had their name thrown out there.
  • Dylan Cease is the Blue Jays’ scheduled starter on Friday evening. It’s not a great matchup for the Cy Young hopeful, as the Cardinals are one of the best teams at avoiding strikeouts. Then again, it’s Cease, so he’ll find a way.
  • Starting for the Cardinals this weekend are Kyle Leahy, Quinn Matthews, and Michael McGeevy.  Both Leahy and McGreevy have an ERA just over 3.50, so it may be difficult for the Jays to generate some offence. This will be Matthews’ first big league start, and he’s set to go on Saturday.
  • Two former Blue Jays face their old team/organization. Justin Bruihl pitched for the team last season and has been a mainstay in the Cardinals bullpen thanks to a 3.61 ERA and 3.75 FIP over 52.1 innings. Matt Svanson never made the big leagues with the Blue Jays, but was drafted by them in 2021 and was traded ahead of the 2023 deadline for Génesis Cabrera.
  • Walker is the Cardinals’ most dangerous hitter, but JJ Wetherholt, Alec Burleson, and Iván Herrera have all be productive hitters for the NL Central team.
  • George Springer and Daulton Varsho are two Blue Jays’ hitters who could be on the move before August 3rd’s deadline. Springer has been red hot since the end of June, batting .296/.351/.521 with four home runs over his last 77 plate appearances, giving him a 144 wRC+.

Probable pitchers (subject to change)

Friday: Dylan Cease/Kyle Leahy
Saturday: Kevin Gausman/Quinn Matthews
Sunday: Max Scherzer/Michael McGeevy

Game times

Friday: 7:07 PM ET
Saturday: 3:07 PM ET
Sunday: 1:37 PM ET
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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