The Toronto Blue Jays return to Rogers Centre on Friday, August 28, to open a home series against the Seattle Mariners, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM ET. Dylan Cease gets the ball for Toronto in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup — Seattle has yet to confirm a starter. The game streams on Apple TV and can be heard locally on SN590 THE FAN. With the dog days of August winding down, every game in the regular season standings race carries real weight, and the Jays will look to take advantage of home turf.

Dylan Cease Leads the Toronto Pitching Staff

Cease is the headliner here. The right-hander is one of the more electric arms in the American League, bringing a power arsenal that can generate swings and misses at any point in the lineup. The event data does not include his current ERA or win-loss record for this season, so we'll let his track record speak without inflating the numbers. What we do know is that having Cease on the mound at Rogers Centre gives Toronto a legitimate edge entering any game. If he's commanding his slider and keeping the Mariners' dangerous middle of the order off-balance, this game can be controlled from the first pitch.

Seattle Mariners Lineup Presents Real Challenges

Toronto cannot take Seattle lightly. The Mariners are sending out a lineup with legitimate pop and patience. Randy Arozarena leads off in left field, followed by Dominic Canzone at DH. The heart of the order belongs to Julio Rodríguez in center field, Josh Naylor at first base, and Cal Raleigh behind the plate — three hitters who can do damage in a hurry. Cole Young, Taylor Ward, J.P. Crawford, and Brock Rodden round out a lineup that won't give Cease a soft landing spot anywhere in the order. Seattle's starter has not been announced, which adds some uncertainty to Toronto's game-planning.

Toronto Blue Jays Lineup for Friday Night

• 1. Brett Bateman, CF
• 2. Nathan Lukes, RF
• 3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
• 4. George Springer, DH
• 5. Jesús Sánchez, LF
• 6. Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
• 7. Andrés Giménez, SS
• 8. Ernie Clement, 2B
• 9. Brandon Valenzuela, C

Keys to Watch

Vlad and the Middle of the Order

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting third with George Springer behind him at DH gives Toronto genuine run-producing potential. If those two can get going against whoever Seattle sends to the mound, the Jays can set up a comfortable cushion for Cease to work with.

Cease vs. Julio Rodríguez

The matchup to circle on your scorecard is Cease against Julio Rodríguez. J-Rod is the kind of talent who can single-handedly change a game, and how Cease handles that at-bat — particularly in crucial situations — could be the swing moment of the night.

Andrés Giménez in the Bottom Third

Giménez batting seventh gives Toronto a quality contact option deep in the lineup. A productive bottom third keeps innings alive and takes pressure off the top of the order to do all the heavy lifting.

Prediction

With Cease on the mound and a full home lineup ready at Rogers Centre, Toronto is well-positioned to take game one of this series. The Mariners have enough firepower to make it interesting, but the pitching advantage tips this toward the Jays. Toronto wins, 4–2.