Dylan Cease gets the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, August 28, 2026, as the club opens a home series against the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre. First pitch is set for 7:15 PM ET, with the game airing on Apple TV. This is a regular season matchup that carries real weight — every game down the stretch of August matters, and the Jays will be leaning on Cease to deliver a quality start in front of the home crowd.
Probable Pitchers: Cease Takes the Mound for Toronto
Dylan Cease is confirmed as Toronto's starter for Friday night. Seattle has not officially announced a probable pitcher for this contest. Cease has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Blue Jays rotation, and his ability to miss bats with a hard slider gives Toronto a legitimate weapon heading into this series. Without a confirmed opposing starter from Seattle, the Mariners' pitching plans remain an open question — something to monitor as first pitch approaches.
Keys to Watch on Friday Night
Cease's Command and Strikeout Rate
Cease lives and dies by his ability to locate his slider and keep hitters off his fastball. When his command is on, he can dominate lineups. Rogers Centre will be watching closely to see which version shows up Friday.
Seattle's Unknown Starter
With no probable pitcher announced for the Mariners, Toronto's lineup preparation gets complicated. The Blue Jays' hitters will need to be ready to adjust on short notice — whether Seattle sends out a veteran arm or opts for a bullpen game, flexibility at the plate will be essential.
Lineup Production at Rogers Centre
The Blue Jays need to generate offense and support their starter. A big night at home, in front of the Rogers Centre faithful, can shift momentum heading into the rest of a series. Productive at-bats early against an unknown arm could set the tone quickly.
- Watch Cease's strikeout-to-walk ratio — it tells the story of his effectiveness faster than any other stat
- Monitor how Toronto's lineup adapts once Seattle's pitching plans become clear
- First-inning runs will be critical given the uncertainty around Seattle's starter
Broadcast Information
Friday night's game is available on Apple TV. Radio listeners in Toronto can tune into SN590 THE FAN, while Mariners fans can catch the call on Seattle Sports 710 AM.
Prediction
If Cease is dealing — and he has the stuff to be — the Blue Jays take this one at home. Toronto's advantage is knowing exactly who is starting and building a game plan around him. Seattle's pitching uncertainty cuts the other way. Edge to the Jays: Toronto wins a close one, 4–2, with Cease going six innings and the bullpen holding the line.
