The Toronto Blue Jays are back at the Rogers Centre after going 1-2 on the weekend against the New York Yankees. The Jays struggled to drive in runs with runners in scoring position and let their division rivals take two games in a pivotal race for the postseason.
The Jays now hold a 2.0 game lead over the Yankees with a few weeks left in the season. While Toronto’s chances of making the postseason are high, whether it be as the division winner or in the Wild Card, any Jays fan will tell you that if the club can avoid the Wild Card series, that would be the best possible outcome.
Heading to the mound for the Blue Jays is right-hander Shane Bieber. The former Cleveland Guardian will be making his fourth start of the campaign since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Toronto’s newest arm owns a 4.15 ERA and a 2.74 FIP through 17 1/3 innings. His ERA is a bit elevated after allowing five hits and five earned runs in his last start against the Reds on September 3rd. Bieber also allowed two walks in that contest, his first free passes of the season.
#BlueJays probables vs the Astros:
Tuesday: Shane Bieber
Wednesday: José Berríos
Thursday: Kevin Gausman— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 9, 2025
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Through three starts, Bieber has allowed just 12 hits and two home runs while striking out 21 batters, posting a 0.808 WHIP in the process. He will get an extra day of rest to work with for this outing and will be looking to go six plus innings again.
Making the start for Houston will be Luis Garcia, who is making his second start of the season. Garcia didn’t pitch in 2024 and missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 5th, 2023.
In his lone start against the Los Angeles Angels, Garcia went six innings and allowed three hits, three earned runs, and two home runs on 79 pitches. He walked zero while striking out six, eventually earning the win.
Garcia works with a five-pitch mix, with his four-seam fastball leading the charge. He also mixes in a cutter, curveball, sweeper, and changeup to complete the arsenal. His fastball sits in the low 90s in terms of velocity, and his cutter has accounted for four of his six punchouts so far this campaign.
Bieber Bump Day 💪 #lightsupletsgo pic.twitter.com/yccYc9pQBB
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 9, 2025
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The Blue Jays announced earlier today that Bo Bichette is heading to the IL (retroactive to Sunday) with a knee sprain after he made an awkward collision at home plate during the Saturday game against the Yankees. Joey Loperfido is back in the big leagues to take his spot.
Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario
First Pitch: 7:07 PM EST
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet Sportsnet 590 The Fan
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – Shane Bieber: 2-1 record, 4.15 ERA, 17 1/3 IP, 21 K, 2 BB
Houston Astros – Luis Garcia: 1-0 record, 4.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 6 SO, 0 BB
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – DH
- Nathan Lukes – RF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Daulton Varsho – CF
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Addison Barger – 3B
- Ernie Clement – SS
- Joey Loperfido – LF
- Andres Gimenez – 2B
Astros:
- Jeremy Pena – SS
- Yordan Alvarez – DH
- Carlos Correa – SS
- Jose Altuve – 2B
- Jesus Sanchez – RF
- Christian Walker – 1B
- Jake Meyers – CF
- Yainer Diaz – C
- Maurico Dubon – LF