The Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Rogers Centre on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for a 3:07 PM ET first pitch. Trey Yesavage gets the ball for Toronto, squaring off against Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder in what shapes up as a battle of two young arms in the final stretch of the regular season. With September baseball carrying real weight in the standings, every game at home matters — and the Jays will look to take care of business in front of their own crowd.
Starting Pitchers: Yesavage vs. Lowder
Trey Yesavage draws the Saturday start for the Blue Jays. The young pitcher has been part of Toronto's rotation mix this season, and a strong outing here would do plenty to build momentum heading into the final days of the regular season calendar. This is a chance for Yesavage to stake a claim and show the organization what he can deliver when the games mean something.
Rhett Lowder gets the assignment for Cincinnati. A 2023 first-round pick out of Wake Forest, Lowder represents the kind of young talent the Reds have been developing with an eye toward the future. He has the repertoire to keep opposing lineups honest, and Toronto's hitters will need to do their homework early in the count.
Keys to Watch in This Matchup
- Early Offense: Getting to a young starter early is always the priority. Toronto's lineup needs to work pitch counts and put pressure on Lowder before he settles into a rhythm.
- Yesavage's Command: Control will be the story for the Toronto starter. Limiting free passes and keeping the ball in the yard at Rogers Centre — a hitter-friendly environment — is essential to a quality outing.
- Bullpen Depth: Late September means rosters are expanded and managers have options. How both benches and bullpens are deployed in a close game could decide the outcome as much as the starters.
- Home Crowd Energy: Rogers Centre in late September, with regular season implications on the line, can be a genuine advantage. Toronto feeds off that energy, and the Jays will want to reward the faithful with a strong showing.
Prediction
This is a matchup where both starting pitchers have something to prove, which makes it genuinely compelling. Yesavage has the home-field edge and the motivation that comes with pitching in a meaningful September game. Lowder is talented, but navigating a major league lineup on the road in a late-season context is a different challenge than what most young pitchers have faced. The Blue Jays take this one at home, 4-2, with Yesavage delivering six solid innings and the offense doing just enough to get the win.
Catch all the action on Sportsnet and SN590 THE FAN starting at 3:07 PM ET.
