The Blue Jays enter Monday's game against Detroit at 75-75 and just one game back in the American League wild card race.
With 12 games to play in the regular season, the Toronto Blue Jays are just one game back of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final wild card spot in the American League.
With every game seemingly a must-win at this point, the Blue Jays will start a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers on Monday night at Rogers Centre.
Here's what you need to know about the matchup - and the pitching matchups.
About the Tigers
The Tigers enter play at 70-79 and one of the biggest disappointments in the sport this season. Detroit choked away a hefty division lead in 2025, but still made the playoffs and advanced to Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
They were a trendy pick to improve and get back to the playoffs this year, especially with the addition of young prospect Kevin McGonigle to the roster, but it just hasn't happened. And Detroit traded away two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, and former No. 1 draft pick Casey Mize, at the trade deadline.
Despite the rough season, they've gone 6-4 in their last 10 and they have won four straight.
Pitching matchups
Monday: Troy Melton (8-4, 2.42 ERA) vs. Jose Soriano (12-7, 3.48 ERA)
Tuesday: Drew Anderson (4-6, 3.80 ERA) vs. TBD
Wednesday: TBD vs. Max Scherzer (2-8, 6.38 ERA)
Obviously, some things need to be ironed out in the back two games of this series, on both sides, but the Monday pitching matchup is a headliner.
Melton is one of the top young arms in baseball, with a fastball that regularly hits in the upper-90s. He also features a dynamic changeup.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Soriano (40) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Dennis Lee-Imagn ImagesIn Soriano's case, he also has a fastball that can rush the upper-90s, but his game is predicated upon a dynamic sinker that gets a lot of ground balls.
Hitters to watch for Detroit
Riley Greene: A dynamic young left fielder who is still just 25, he has 20 homers and 71 RBIs, while also hitting .283.
McGonigle: The favorite for AL Rookie of the Year, he's hitting .272 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs. He has a 6.3 WAR, per Baseball Reference.
Max Clark: One of the top prospects in baseball at the time of his promotion, he's hitting .274 in 39 games. He has three homers and 18 RBIs.
First pitch on Monday is set for 7:07 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays just took two-of-three from the Baltimore Orioles.
