The Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Boston Red Sox to Rogers Centre on Thursday, August 13, 2026, for a 3:07 PM ET afternoon contest that carries real weight in the second half of the season. Max Scherzer takes the ball for Toronto against Boston's Payton Tolle in a matchup that sets a clear veteran-versus-challenger tone. Catch it on Sportsnet or SN590 THE FAN locally, with NESN carrying the feed for Red Sox fans.

Pitching Matchup: Scherzer vs. Tolle

Max Scherzer getting the start is the headline here. Whatever stage of his career Scherzer is in, his presence in a rotation still commands attention — he's a fierce competitor who elevates the intensity around him and demands the best from everyone sharing the field. The Jays are leaning on that experience in a home start where Rogers Centre's crowd can be a legitimate factor on a Thursday afternoon.

Payton Tolle draws the assignment for Boston. Tolle represents the kind of arm Boston has been developing and testing at the big-league level, and Toronto's lineup will be looking to take advantage early and establish a tone against him. How Tolle handles a Rogers Centre crowd and a loaded Jays batting order will tell us a lot about where he stands as a major-league pitcher.

Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup

• Charles McAdoo — LF
• Ernie Clement — 2B
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — 1B
• George Springer — DH
• Kazuma Okamoto — 3B
• Andrés Giménez — SS
• Brandon Valenzuela — C
• Myles Straw — CF
• Nathan Lukes — RF

Keys to Watch for the Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the Heart of the Order

Batting third, Guerrero Jr. is the engine. If he's seeing the ball well and McAdoo and Clement can get on base ahead of him, the Jays have a real chance to put up crooked numbers early against Tolle. Vlad Jr. punishing a young starter is one of the more reliable formulas in Toronto's offensive playbook.

George Springer as the Cleanup Bat

Springer sliding into the DH spot and batting fourth puts a lot of run-production responsibility on his shoulders. His ability to drive in runs in that spot will be a clear barometer for how Toronto's middle of the order performs on the afternoon.

Scherzer's Command and Pitch Economy

With no ERA or record listed for this start, the focus is simply on watching Scherzer work. His pitch efficiency and ability to get deep into the game matters — the Jays' bullpen workload over a long season is always a factor, and a quality Scherzer outing helps everyone.

Prediction

This one sets up well for Toronto. Scherzer at home, a lineup with clear run-producing potential in the three through five spots, and a Boston starter in Tolle who hasn't yet built a track record at this level — the edge belongs to the Blue Jays. Expect Scherzer to log at least five solid innings, Guerrero Jr. to do damage in the middle innings, and Toronto to take this one in front of the Rogers Centre crowd. Jays win, 5–2.