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Blue Jays Make Pitching Announcement Before All-Star Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 12:38 PM ET

Against all odds, the Toronto Blue Jays ended the 2025 MLB season's first half as a first-place club.

The Blue Jays' journey to maintaining their two-game lead over the New York Yankees officially resumes on Friday at home against the San Francisco Giants, and Toronto already has a plan. Veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt, who pitched in relief against the Athletics on Sunday, will start this Friday's home showdown with the San Francisco Giants.

Veteran lefty Eric Lauer and two-time All-Star José Berríos are expected to follow Bassitt in the rotation.

It's been a mixed bag thus far for Bassitt, who entered the All-Star Break at 9-4 with a 104-29 K-BB ratio in 107 innings. However, Bassit's 4.12 ERA is essentially the same as last year's 4.12 and well above his career 3.64 mark.

Bassitt has been far better at home than on the road, owning a 6-0 record and 2.81 ERA in 10 Rogers Centre starts. Conversely, Gausman has a 5.66 ERA in 49 1/3 away innings, and he's allowed eight homers.

Luckily for Bassitt, his rotation spot should be safe if Toronto acquires another pitcher before the July 31 deadline. Lauer may be better suited for a long relief role, and Max Scherzer's 4.70 ERA in 23 innings doesn't inspire much confidence, especially with his 41st birthday later this month.

Either way, the Blue Jays need Bassitt at his best in the second half. Only 5 1/2 games separate the first-place Blue Jays and fourth-place Tampa Bay Rays.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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