The Toronto Blue Jays wrap up their Labour Day weekend on the road when they head to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento to take on the Athletics on Monday, September 7, with first pitch scheduled for 10:05 PM ET. Dylan Cease gets the ball for Toronto against Athletics right-hander Jacob Lopez in a late-season regular season matchup that carries real weight as the calendar inches toward October. Catch the game on Sportsnet, TVA Sports, or on the radio via SN590 THE FAN.

Starting Pitchers: Dylan Cease vs. Jacob Lopez

Dylan Cease is the story here, and he should be every time he takes the mound. The hard-throwing right-hander gives the Jays a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm and represents their best chance to control a game from pitch one. Cease lives off a devastating slider and a fastball that commands attention — when he is locked in, lineups tend to go quiet in a hurry. This is the kind of start-of-series assignment a club wants its best pitcher handling, and Cease fits that role.

On the other side, Jacob Lopez gets the nod for Oakland. Lopez is a name that won't strike fear into opposing dugouts the way Cease might, and that is a real advantage for Toronto's lineup heading into this one. The Jays need to make him work early, run up his pitch count, and get into that Athletics bullpen as quickly as possible.

Athletics Lineup to Watch

Sacramento's home nine is putting a solid group out there. Leadoff man Henry Bolte will look to set the table from centre field, while former Met Jeff McNeil slots in at first base — a player who has made contact his calling card throughout his career. Zack Gelof at third and Lawrence Butler in right give Oakland legitimate run-producing options in the middle of the order. Jonah Heim catches and hits ninth, giving the A's a capable bat even at the bottom of the lineup. This is not a group the Jays can sleepwalk through.

Keys to the Game

• Cease's command: When Cease is throwing strikes and mixing his slider effectively, he is very difficult to square up. His ability to limit traffic on the bases will be the single biggest factor in this game.
• Early offence against Lopez: Toronto's lineup needs to be aggressive early. Getting Lopez out of the game before the sixth inning gives the Jays a significant edge.
• Handling the Gelof-Butler combo: Gelof and Butler represent the heart of Oakland's lineup. Cease and the Toronto defence need to limit the damage those two can do.
• Bullpen management: A 10:05 PM ET start on the road, deep into September — both benches need their relievers ready. Toronto's late-inning options could loom large.

Prediction

Trust Dylan Cease. He is the best pitcher on the field Monday night, and in a game where the opposing starter is the question mark, that matters enormously. The Jays take this one on the strength of Cease's arm and enough offence against Lopez to open up a lead by the middle innings. Blue Jays 4, Athletics 2.