Blue Jays schedule: Game 4 vs. Tampa Bay Rays preview, probable pitchers, where to watch and what’s next
Chris Bassitt gets the start for º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøand has finished the season strong but was pulled early from his last game vs. Baltimore because of fatigue.
Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson stole a three-run home run from Alejandro Kirk, while Ian Seymour held º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøscoreless through seven innings.
Tropicana Field has long been known as a house of horrors for the Jays, but their temporary home of Steinbrenner Field didn’t appear to be any better when the Rays earned a sweep there in late May. The Jays have won just one of their last five series as visitors against the Rays.
After taking two of the first three games this week, a victory in Thursday’s finale would help even the score. It also would give the Jays their third consecutive series win following matchups against the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles.
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With the magic number to clinch a playoff spot stuck at three, here’s what you need to know about Thursday’s game:
From giving Anthony Santander some MLB at-bats to allowing Jeff Hoffman a break before the
Game 4 preview
Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt will get the start for the Jays. Bassitt has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last eight outings with a 2.93 ERA dating back to Aug. 1. He continues to finish the year strong while making a case that he should remain a part of the Jays’ crowded post-season rotation.
One thing to monitor during this outing is Bassitt’s health. The 36-year-old admitted he wasn’t feeling great during his last start against the Orioles, but that he’s not dealing with a specific injury. Bassitt left that game after throwing just 75 pitches while limiting the O’s to one run on two hits across five innings.
The Rays will counter with righty Shane Baz. The 26-year-old flashed upside last season with a 3.06 ERA in 14 starts, but it hasn’t been as easy in 2025. While Baz recently picked up quality starts against the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners, he allowed five runs over 2 1/3 innings in his last outing against the Chicago Cubs.
Baz has pitched twice against the Jays already this season and despite a season ERA of 5.15 he has done relatively well. On May 13, he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings with home runs coming off the bats of Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho. Fewer than two weeks later, he surrendered just one run on four hits over 5 2/3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has five hits, including a homer, in 13 at-bats vs. Baz.
Game time, TV, probable pitchers
Today, 1:10 p.m. on Sportsnet:Â RH Chris Bassitt (11-8, 3.90) vs. RH Shane Baz (9-12, 5.15)
Looking ahead
The Jays finish their last regular-season road series in Kansas City against the Royals starting Friday in a game that can only be watched on Apple TV+. The Royals are out of the playoff picture with a 76-76 record entering Thursday.
Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the
Star. Follow him on Twitter: or reach him via email: gchisholm@thestar.ca.
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