ճBlue Jays will look to make it six straight wins as they continue their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday night at Steinbrenner Field. Here’s what you need to know:
Yesavage’s nine strikeouts set a Jays record for a pitcher’s debut.
Game 2 preview
José Berríos, working on five days’ rest, gets the start and looks to build on his last outing, one in which he pitched into the sixth inning and allowed only two runs. It was the third time in five starts that the right-hander had hit those marks, but in the other two he’s allowed 12 runs (eight earned) in just 6 1/3 innings combined.
Berríos, who was named the Jays’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente award on Monday, has been something of a lucky charm this season. His record is 9-5, but the Jays are 19-10 when he starts.
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The ɫɫ Blue Jays are strong favourites to win the American League East Division for the first time in a decade. Entering Tuesday’s games, their magic number to clinch the division was seven, with a 97.4-per cent chance of taking the crown and an 11.2-per cent shot at winning the World Series, according to FanGraphs. (Sept. 16, 2025)
The Canadian Press
Right-hander Ryan Pepiot gets the ball for the home side, and the Rays have held the Blue Jays to a grand total of four runs over four games in Tampa this season. Pepiot is on some kind of run right now. Over his last three starts, he has allowed a grand total of zero runs on just two hits with six walks and 15 strikeouts. He’s gone five innings each time, so at least the Jays won’t likely have to deal with him for too long.
Pepiot has faced the Jays twice this year and has held them to three runs on 10 hits over 13 innings of work, winning once and losing once.
Shortstop Bo Bichette hasn’t participated in any baseball activities since Sept. 6.
Looking ahead
The Jays finish their last regular-season road series in Kansas City against the Royals starting Friday. The Royals are out of the playoff picture and are at .500 after Sunday’s games.
Mike Wilner is a ɫɫ-based baseball columnist for the Star
and host of the baseball podcast “Deep Left Field.” Follow him on
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