Blue Jays Make Pitching Decision After 2 Straight Losses

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Blue Jays Make Pitching Decision After 2 Straight Losses

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Sep 12, 2026 10:26 AM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are turning to rookie reliever Spencer Miles to open Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles as they try to stop a two-game losing streak.

Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported on X that Miles will serve as Toronto’s opener, with the Blue Jays lining up ace Dylan Cease to start Sunday’s series finale instead.

The move gives Toronto another bullpen game as the club manages a pitching staff that has dealt with injuries and a heavy workload late in the season. Saturday will mark the Blue Jays’ 21st bullpen game of 2026.

Spencer Miles will start for Blue Jays tomorrow per team
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) September 12, 2026

Toronto enters Saturday after consecutive losses, including a 2-0 shutout against the Athletics and a 7-4 defeat to the Orioles in Friday’s series opener. The skid has added pressure as the Blue Jays continue their pursuit of an American League Wild Card spot.

The Blue Jays have made the bullpen-game approach work more often than not this season. Toronto is 11-9 in its previous 20 bullpen games, giving manager John Schneider reason to trust the formula again with the rotation stretched thin.

Miles has been one of the team’s most dependable relief arms. The rookie right-hander is 6-2 with a 2.77 ERA, 81 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP across 45 appearances and 87.2 innings.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider(14)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Toronto will need Miles to help navigate the Orioles’ lineup before turning the game over to its bulk-relief options. The Blue Jays have relied heavily on their bullpen with multiple pitchers unavailable, making each remaining game more difficult to manage.

With Cease scheduled for Sunday, Toronto is clearly prioritizing the series finale while hoping Miles and the rest of the bullpen can keep Saturday’s game within reach.

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

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