Toronto Blue Jays probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Tampa Bay Rays, March 20

A week from today, the Toronto Blue Jays will open the 2025 when they welcome the Blatimore Orioles to the Rogers Centre. But before then, they've got to finish out the spring training slate, with the latest game coming in the form of a home matchup against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays.

First pitch at TD Ballpark is set for 1:07 p.m., and the game will be available to stream on Sportsnet.

Probable starting pitchers

RHP Bowden Francis (0-1, 10.80 ERA, 12 K) vs. Taj Bradley (0-0, 1.69 ERA, 5 K)

Francis gets his last turn in the spring rotation before the start of the regular season. While the Blue Jays haven't officially said that Francis will be in the starting rotation, his inclusion seemed like a lock even before Max Scherzer's injury.

He's had a rough spring (he allowed three earned runs in 3 2/3 innings his last time out) but was one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last two months of 2024. Francis is still a work in progress, but the Blue Jays are expecting big things from him this year, and this will likely be his last chance to tweak his form before the season starts.

He'll go against Bradley, who has had two scoreless strong outings this spring, with his last outing coming when he allowed one earned run in three innings against the Blue Jays. He's thrown live batting practices in the time since, and threw 76 pitches against his teammates on March 15.

He made two starts against the Blue Jays last year and allowed just one earned run in 11 innings with 11 strikeouts.

Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup vs. Tampa Bay Rays, March 20

1. 3B Will Wagner
2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
3. LF Anthony Santander
4. SS Bo Bichette
5. 2B Andrés Giménez
6. RF George Springer
7. DH Daulton Varsho
8. C Alejandro Kirk
9. CF Steward Berroa

Tampa Bay Rays starting lineup vs. Toronto Blue Jays, March 20

1. 2B Jonathan Aranda
2. LF Christopher Morel
3. CF Richie Palacios
4. 1B Curtis Mead
5. C Ben Rotvedt
6. SS José Caballero
7. 3B Tanner Murray
8. RF Tristan Peters
9. DH Émilien Pitre

The Jays have most of the regulars in their lineup, albeit in some different spots. Wagner gets the start at leadoff, while Bichette (the normal leadoff hitter this spring) is in the cleanup spot. Bichette smashed another homer earlier this week, and seems ready for spring to start.

Varsho's also hit four home runs this spring, but still can only play designated hitter. Kirk's another Blue Jay that seems ready for the season to start (.306 average, seven RBI), while Berroa is hitting .333 this spring with three steals. Bradley diced Toronto up last year, so expect all the starters to get their full share of at-bats against him in preparation for the regular season.