The Yankees roll into Toronto fresh off a day off and a sweep of the Guardians. It was an even affair the last time the two sides met at Yankee Stadium, the Bombers taking the first two games before allowing the Blue Jays to salvage a series split, all contests decided by two or fewer runs. Despite the Jays getting a bit healthier, New York is catching them during a vulnerable moment, with Toronto 4-7 in their last 11 games. But by no means can the Yankees afford to take for granted an opponent who
has had their number over the last 14 months. At Rogers Centre in particular, the Yankees went a dismal 1-8 in 2025, including losses in the first two ALDS games. That can’t happen again.
Ryan Weathers has stumbled of late, surrendering seven home runs across his last four starts. He has given up five runs in three of those four starts including a May 18th outing against the Blue Jays where the Yankees rallied late to come from behind and win, 7-6. It comes at an inopportune time for the southpaw with Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole back in the rotation and Max Fried making progress in his elbow injury rehab. To that point, Weathers was seen warming up on Wednesday with Aaron Boone confirming after the game that he was in play as a reliever with the bullpen a bit gassed. This perhaps hints at the Yankees viewing him as the first name on the chopping block for demotion from the rotation once Fried returns, so there is added incentive to perform in his remaining starts. In 12 starts, Weathers is 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA (108 ERA+), 4.12 FIP, and 79 strikeouts in 70 innings.
Trey Yesavage is the newest Yankee killer to emerge in the league. Combining his ALDS Game 2 start and May 20th outing this year, Yesavage has pitched 11.1 scoreless innings allowing just two hits and a walk with 19 strikeouts. Between his rising four-seamer, devastating splitter, and underrated slider, he just seems to have the special sauce to completely silence the Yankees lineup. He’s coming off his worst start of the campaign — six runs in 5.2 innings against the Orioles — but otherwise has looked sharp after the start of his season was delayed by a month by a shoulder impingement. In eight starts, Yesavage is 2-3 with a 3.16 ERA (141 ERA+), 3.05 FIP, and 44 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.
In this period without Aaron Judge, the biggest lineup decision for Aaron Boone concerns having three players for two positions. One out of Anthony Volpe, José Caballero, and Spencer Jones will be the odd man out on a given day while the other two start at short and in right. It will be interesting to monitor whether this becomes an even rotation or whether one player gets more playing time at the expense of another — today it’s Volpe on the bench, Caballero at short, and Jones in right. The first five spots in the lineup are pretty much set in stone with Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. all posting a 124 wRC+ or better since May 1st.
Alejandro Kirk and Davis Schneider return to the Blue Jays lineup, the former from a wrist injury and the latter from Triple-A, called up as the corresponding move for Daulton Varsho’s placement on the IL. The Yankees managed to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr. mostly quiet in May. He’s still trying to find his power, his .365 SLG more than 120 points below his career average while a 109 wRC+ would be the lowest mark since his rookie year. Instead, George Springer and Ernie Clement were the Yankees’ principal tormentors in May and they unsurprisingly occupy the first two spots in the batting order.
How to watch
Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON
First pitch: 7:37 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Sportsnet, SN1, TVA Sports
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | SN590 THE FAN (TOR)
Streaming: Gotham Sports App, MLB.tv (out-of-market only)
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