On Sunday, the Toronto Blue Jays will seek to complete a series sweep against the Oakland Athletics. The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET. Left fielder Jesús Sánchez is set to make his first start, batting between George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Jesús Sánchez Joins the Lineup
Jesús Sánchez, acquired from the Houston Astros in spring training, made his Blue Jays debut Saturday. He came in as a pinch-hitter for Myles Straw, finishing the game with one hit, two runs, and an RBI in an exciting 8-7 win that extended into extra innings.
Tyler Heineman’s Season Debut
Catcher Tyler Heineman will also see action, making his season debut in the ninth spot of the batting order. Heineman’s contributions last season were impressive; he played in 61 games and maintained a .289 batting average, hitting three home runs and driving in 20 RBIs.
Starting Pitching Matchup
Starting pitcher Eric Lauer will take the mound for the Blue Jays, marking his first appearance of the season. Lauer had a breakout year in 2025, boasting a record of 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA over 104.2 innings and 102 strikeouts.
Challenging Competition
In their previous games, the Blue Jays’ starters have set a high bar. Kevin Gausman secured 11 strikeouts over six innings, while Dylan Cease recorded 12 strikouts across 5.1 innings. The Athletics will respond with 23-year-old righty Luis Morales, who debuted last season with a 4-3 record and a 3.14 ERA over ten games, including nine starts.
Looking Ahead
After the matchup against the Athletics, the Blue Jays will continue their season-opening homestand. They will face the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series starting on Monday.
