July 20, 2025

The Blue Jays have their starting pitchers in place for a pivotal upcoming series against the division-rival New York Yankees. Right-handers Kevin Gausman (Monday), Max Scherzer (Tuesday), and Chris Bassitt (Wednesday) will face a New York team that trails AL East-leading Toronto by three games. Both Gausman and Scherzer will be making their second-half debuts. Bassitt started in a win over the Giants on Friday and managed to throw 6 1/3 scoreless innings despite scattering 10 hits. Gausman, who has gone 6-7 with a 4.19 ERA over 109 2/3 frames, has already had two meetings with the Yankees this year. The team split those matchups, but Gausman combined for 7 2/3 innings of eight-run ball with nine hits allowed and more walks (nine) than strikeouts (five). Scherzer missed three months with a thumb injury, but the three-time Cy Young Award winner has performed respectably since coming back June 25. In four starts since then, including one against the Yankees, Scherzer has totaled 20 innings and given up 10 earned runs on 19 hits with 23:7 K:BB. The 40-year-old was strong in the club's win over New York on June 30, fanning seven over five innings of two-run, three-hit ball. Scherzer threw a season-high six frames and 90 pitches in his previous start, so any questions about his thumb appear to be behind him.--Connor Byrne
Source: Hazel Mae - Sportsnet