Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Detroit Tigers, February 28

The Blue Jays will take part in one spring training's best tradiations today when they play two games across the state of Florida in split-squad action. That double-dip of Blue Jays baseball starts this morning when they welcome the Detroit Tigers to Dunedin.

This will be Toronto's first matchup with the Tigers this spring after their first scheduled game was cancelled due to rain earlier this week.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 p.m. at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, and the game will be avaiable to stream on Sportsnet.

Probable starting pitchers

Chris Bassitt vs. Reese Olson

Bassitt is making his spring debut after posting a 4.12 ERA last season — his highest ERA during his time with Toronto and the highest of his career in a season where he threw more than 100 innings. That said, Bassitt's been tabbed as a trendy rebound candidate thanks to his ability to pitch to soft contact.

He'll have a spot in Toronto's rotation once the season opens, and this is his first chance to start the season on the right foot. Just don't ask him for any fantasy football advice.

He'll be going against Reese Olson, who will also be making his spring training debut. Olson pitched well for the upstart Tigers last season to the tune of a 3.53 ERA in 112 1/3 innings before allowing two earned runs in nine innings in the postseason.

Olson was acquired from the Brewers in 2021 as a prospect in exchange for Daniel Norris, and he made his MLB debut in 2023. He finished last season with a chase rate, barrel rate and ground-ball rate in the 80th percentile.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup, February 28

• 1. SS Bo Bichette
• 2. DH Daulton Varsho
• 3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• 4. LF George Springer
• 5. 2B Andrés Giménez
• 6. C Alejandro Kirk
• 7. 3B Ernie Clement
• 8. RF Nathan Lukes
• 9. CF Myles Straw

Detroit Tigers starting lineup, February 28

• 1. SS Trey Sweeney
• 2. DH Javier Báez
• 3. 1B Justyn-Henry Malloy
• 4. LF Kerry Carpenter
• 5. C Dillon Dingler
• 6. 3B Jace Jung
• 7. CF Ryan Kreidler
• 8. 2B Eddys Leonard
• 9. RF Roberto Campos

There's a lot to unpack with this Blue Jays lineup, as Varsho is making his spring debut and Springer his making his debut in left field. It's a position he'll likely end up playing a lot in the regular season thanks to the presence of Anthony Santander, who will be make his spring debut in the second split-squad game.

Straw, Giménez, Clement and Kirk have all had strong starts to their spring, so it's good to see them in the lineup as they work to round into shape. Outside of Straw and Lukes, this is a lineup that we could see on Opening Day.