Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

While the Toronto Blue Jays took Wednesday off, NHL teams didn’t as that league’s trade deadline fast approaches.

Surely, George Springer must’ve been keeping up with the news.

But today, the Jays are back in the mix, taking on the Detroit Tigers—a game in which Bowden Francis will pitch for Toronto. One of the more intriguing names in camp this year, Francis got his first taste of the big leagues last season, throwing 36 and a third innings, operating as a swingman for the team.

He fared more than well, posting a 1.76 ERA, 3.86 FIP, and a .826 WHIP across the 20 games he appeared in, and Francis will be positioned to be an impact arm again this season. Francis didn’t start any games last season, but he pitched over three innings in four of his outings. His ability to operate as a long arm out of the bullpen is a huge boon for the Jays, and last year, he showed he could handle some of that workload.

What’s more is, with Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman both working their way through some ailments; it’s even more important for Francis to be ready to deliver this season.

Opposite of Francis will be righty Kenta Maeda, who signed a two-year deal with the Tigers this past winter.

First pitch: 4:05 p.m. EST — Radio: MLB.tv.

Odds via Betano:

Moneyline: N/A
Spread: N/A
Over/Under: N/A

*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.

Starting pitchers (2023 statistics):

TORONTO — RHP Bowden Francis

DETROIT – RHP Kenta Maeda

Name Team GS W L IP ERA xERA ERA- FIP WHIP K/9 BB/9
Bowden Francis TOR 0 1 0 36.1 1.73 3.71 41 3.86 0.83 8.67 1.98
Kenta Maeda MIN 20 6 8 104.1 4.23 3.77 100 4.02 1.17 10.09 2.42

Lineups:

TORONTO:

  1. G Springer (R) RF
  2. C Biggio (L) 2B
  3. D Vogelbach (L) DH
  4. D Jansen (R) C
  5. K Kiermaier (L) CF
  6. D Varsho (L) LF
  7. I Kiner-Falefa (R) SS
  8. E Escobar (S) 3B
  9. S Horwitz (L) 1B

TIGERS:

  1. TBD

Need to bide the time until first pitch?

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Brad Keselowski breaks 110-race winless streak at Darlington
Pacers blow out Knicks on Mother’s Day, even series at 2-2
Hawks GM 'shocked' that his team won the NBA Draft Lottery
Prolific former Brewers, A's slugger announces retirement
Watch: Padres star passes father on all-time home runs list
Saints to sign veteran offensive lineman
Smother's Day: Pacers shut down Knicks in first half of Game 4
Flyers goaltender suspended from international play for three years
Pistons make wrong kind of history at NBA Draft Lottery
Watch: Pacers C Myles Turner makes absurd three-pointer in first quarter vs. Knicks
Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery
Giants place key outfielder on injured list
Broncos release former Super Bowl champion WR
Novak Djokovic thinks water bottle incident may have played role in surprising loss
Steelers agree to deal with veteran CB
Bruins captain out for Game 4 vs. Panthers
Veteran WR announces retirement from NFL
Mavericks come from behind to down Thunder, take 2-1 series lead
Stars continue road dominance with Game 3 win over Avalanche
Watch: Paul Skenes wastes no time showing why Pirates drafted him No. 1 overall

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.