Blue Jays begin 17-day stretch of gameplay

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated May 15, 2026 12:00 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are about to run their first gauntlet of the season.

So far this year, the Jays have had five off-days, three of which came in April. Their longest stretch of back-to-back games was early in the season and at the end of April, with both slotting at 13 games. The club hasn’t been off to a strong start to begin the 2026 season, boasting a 19-24 record and sitting fourth in the AL East, 9.5 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Toronto, who are heading just south of the border to face the Detroit Tigers for the first time this season to kick off a 17-game stretch with zero off-days. They may not be facing Tarik Skubal this weekend with the AL Cy Young winner on the IL, but the AL Central squad boasts a strong 12-6 record at Comerica Park despite their 19-25 record.

Following their series against the Tigers, the Jays will hit the road to face the New York Yankees for a four-game set, the first matchup between the two sides since their ALCS matchup. The Yankees have been near the top of the standings for most of the season until the Tampa Bay Rays’ most recent hot stretch, and the Yanks now sit two games back of the lead with a 27-17 record. The Bronx Bombers are 4-6 in their last ten games and might be without Max Fried moving forward after he was lifted from his most recent start with elbow soreness.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/08y2W4XdL7

— Blue Jays Nation (@thejaysnation) May 14, 2026

After their matchup against New York, the Jays will travel home to face the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Miami Marlins for a six-game homestand. The Jays are currently slated to face NL superstar hurler Paul Skenes during the weekend series if the Pirates’ rotation schedule holds, which will be his first time pitching North of the border. The Jays and Skenes have faced off just once before (2025), with the right-hander holding the bats to five hits, one walk, and two earned runs across six innings with eight strikeouts.

After the Pirates and Marlins, the Jays hit the road again to face the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, another first matchup of the campaign between the AL East rivals. The Orioles are just ahead of the Jays in the standings (20-24), and Toronto will face a revamped Orioles squad that now features Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, and former Blue Jay Chris Bassitt.

Toronto appears to have dodged famed Blue Jay killer Ryan Mountcastle, who is on the 60-day IL as he recovers from a foot fracture, and while the Orioles’ top bats are currently struggling in Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo, and Tyler O’Neill, they are still a tough opponent within the division.

This will be the club’s longest stretch of games this season, with a 16-game stand in late June coming in second place.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: