The Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Rogers Centre on Saturday, September 26 for a 3:07 PM ET first pitch, with right-hander Trey Yesavage drawing the start for Toronto opposite Cincinnati's Rhett Lowder. With the regular season winding down, every game carries added weight as both clubs close out their 2026 campaigns. This is a chance for the Jays to finish strong in front of the home crowd, and with Vladdy Guerrero Jr. slotted into the heart of the order, there's always a reason to watch.

Pitching Matchup: Yesavage vs. Lowder

Trey Yesavage gets the ball for Toronto. The young arm has been working his way through what is shaping up as a formative stretch at the big-league level, and Saturday's start gives him another opportunity to build on that experience. Detailed ERA and win-loss numbers aren't available heading into this one, so the focus shifts squarely to how he commands the zone and limits free passes against a Cincinnati lineup capable of doing damage.

On the other side, Rhett Lowder takes the hill for the Reds. A promising arm in Cincinnati's rotation, Lowder will look to keep the Toronto offense in check. The Blue Jays will need to be patient and work counts if they want to get to him early.

Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup

• Brett Bateman — CF
• Nathan Lukes — RF
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — DH
• Alejandro Kirk — C
• Kazuma Okamoto — 3B
• Sean Keys — 1B
• Josh Smith — LF
• Andrés Giménez — SS
• Ernie Clement — 2B

Keys to Watch for Toronto

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the Middle of the Order

Batting third and designated as the cleanup anchor of this lineup, Guerrero Jr. remains the fulcrum of the Toronto offence. How he fares against Lowder will go a long way toward deciding whether the Jays can put a crooked number on the board early. When Vladdy is locked in, this lineup has real teeth.

Yesavage's Command and Pitch Mix

Young starters live and die by their ability to throw strikes and keep hitters off-balance. Yesavage needs to establish himself quickly in the first two innings and keep Cincinnati's bats from stringing together baserunners. The Rogers Centre crowd can be a factor — give them something to cheer about early and the energy builds.

Middle and Bottom of the Order

The Jays' lineup from Kazuma Okamoto through Ernie Clement carries the depth that can turn a tight game. If Alejandro Kirk, Sean Keys, and Josh Smith are contributing, Toronto has the kind of lineup construction that wears pitchers down. Andrés Giménez and Ernie Clement at the bottom can set the table and keep pressure on Lowder into the later innings.

Prediction

This is a home game the Blue Jays should be motivated to win. Yesavage has a chance to deliver a quality outing, and Toronto's lineup — anchored by Guerrero Jr. and backed by solid depth — gives them the edge here. Expect a competitive game, but the Jays take it at Rogers Centre. Toronto 5, Cincinnati 3.

Coverage is available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports on television, with radio on SN590 THE FAN locally.