The Toronto Blue Jays probably win the 2025 World Series a good number of times if you keep replaying those last few innings of Game 7. But 2026 has, so far, not been the redemption tour anyone had in mind. Sure, you can have your team go on a historic run including a 15-game winning streak to get right back into the playoff mix, but that’s easier said than done. These 2026 Jays are 6-3 against the Boston Red Sox and this four-game series could still decide their season series. After the Jays swept
Boston in June they probably figured the season series was safe. But the Sox still have a path to seven wins.
Sonny Gray shut down the Chicago White Sox last time out and is working on his lowest ERA since 2015. His FIP is higher, but then again his FIP in 2015 was 3.45. He’s pulled off the better ERA trick before. He’s faced Toronto twice this season: a 7.0 inning, 3 run outing in June and a 5.0, 5 run game in July. Jameson Taillon has made one start with the Jays since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs. His season in Chicago, where he’s been since 2023, was rough. He had a 5.92 ERA / 6.72 FIP in 76 innings while allowing career high homers-per-9 (25 total!). In 2025, Taillon allowed 24 home runs in 129.2 innings. His one start back in the American League (at Houston) was a 4.0 inning, 3 run performance with 4Ks and 2 BBs. He allowed a 26th home run. We’ve seen some high-ERA guys settle down against Boston before but Taillon has pretty much struggled regardless of the team. If Gray can keep the Sox in this they’ve got a chance to quickly forget about the A’s.
Patrick Sandoval turned in 5.0 solid innings against the White Sox during a rout. He held Toronto scoreless for 4.2 innings back on July 29th. He too will need to keep the Sox in the game because of his opposing pitcher, Dylan Cease. The potential American League Cy Young Award winner for 2026, Cease has been excellent. His last time facing Boston, Cease tossed a complete game shutout. With, uh, 12 Ks, his season high. This will be the fourth time Boston has had to face Cease this year (which is just not fair but is random) and the Jays have won two of his three starts coming into this one. On April 27th the Sox scored 4 runs in 5.2 innings off Cease. A big night for Sandoval and the bats would really take the wind out of Toronto’s sails as they enter the series 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Ranger Suarez labored through three innings against the Chicago White Sox in that thrilling 13-inning win last week. He hasn’t quite bounced back from his IL stint. He’s been limited to 4.0 innings (against the Jays), 4.2 innings, and that early exit against the White Sox. It’s hard not to think of his April 27th start in Toronto where he held them scoreless for 8.0 innings in dominant fashion. A highlight of the pre-streak Sox. He’ll face off against new acquisition José Soriano. The righty, recently acquired from the Los Angeles Angels who play in the city of Anaheim, had a 0.84 ERA headed into May. He then put up two months of 5.34 ERA ball until bouncing back with 5 solid starts in July and August, including his first with the Jays. He hasn’t allowed more than 3 runs since June 24th. Despite the really hot run to begin 2026, he’s right in line with previous seasons in terms of his hits, walks, and strikeouts for the season as a whole. He is leading the league in walks with 60 in 127.2 innings. Force him to make pitches might be the strategy here for some guys.
The finale is New Hotness vs Old and (somewhat) Busted. That’s right: Payton Tolle against Max Scherzer. Tolle is coming off a 14 strikeout performance against the A’s. The old man has accomplished this feat 5 times in his career. Plus 6 more starts with more than 14 Ks, including a 2016 performance with 20 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. Mad Max Scherzer has only made 9 starts this year and while several have been dreadful, he’s been solid as of late. His last two outings total 11.1 innings with just 3 runs allowed against the Phillies and Cardinals. Before that he allowed 1 run in 2.2 innings against the Nationals. He put together a bit of a run in the 2025 playoffs and fresh from the IL he might be doing the same over his recent starts. If this is the end it’s an impressive career. The Sox didn’t face him this year given his multiple IL stints. He’s only good for about 80-85 pitches this year. It could be a great one for the history books that the future Hall of Famer faced off with young Tolle and people will be amazed they played at the same time.
Adley Rutschman will travel to Toronto with the team but will not be activated on Monday.
Vlad still doesn’t have a home run at home. He’s also hit just 7 total. A far cry from 2021’s total of 48.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Monday, August 10: Sonny Gray (2.78 ERA /3.52 FIP) vs. Jameson Taillon (5.96 ERA / 6.67 FIP)
Tuesday, August 11: Patrick Sandoval (3.38 ERA / 4.00 FIP) vs. Dylan Cease (2.28 ERA / 2.20 FIP)
Wednesday, August 12: Ranger Suarez (3.32 ERA / 2.71 FIP) vs. José Soriano (3.24 ERA / 3.78 FIP)
Thursday, August 13: Payton Tolle (3.20 ERA / 3.25 FIP) vs. Max Scherzer (7.25 ERA / 6.89 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Monday, August 10: 7:07 PM ET on NESN
Tuesday, August 11: 7:07 PM ET on NESN
Wednesday, August 12: 7:07 PM ET on NESN
Thursday, August 13: 3:07 PM ET on NESN
