First Pitch: 3:07 PM ET (12:07 PM PT)
Broadcast: Sportsnet / AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
A fascinating interleague matchup featuring one of baseball’s most electric young arms (Paul Skenes) against a veteran lefty trying to stabilize a struggling Toronto rotation (Patrick Corbin). Pittsburgh enters hovering above .500, while Toronto is trying to claw back into AL Wild Card relevance.
WEATHER OUTLOOK — ROGERS CENTRE
Roof Status: Expected CLOSED
- Outside temperature: 69–72°F
- Wind: 10–12 mph SW (irrelevant with roof closed)
- Humidity: ~55%
- Impact:
- Neutral hitting environment
- Ball carries slightly better with roof closed due to stable air density
- Favors pitchers with velocity and hitters with line-drive profiles
INJURY REPORT
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz — Probable (minor ankle soreness; expected to play)
- Ke’Bryan Hayes — OUT (back inflammation; IL)
- David Bednar — OUT (forearm tightness; IL)
- Marco Gonzales — OUT (shoulder strain; IL)
Toronto Blue Jays
- Bo Bichette — OUT (knee sprain; IL)
- Kevin Gausman — OUT (shoulder fatigue; IL)
- Alejandro Kirk — OUT (hand fracture; IL)
- Yusei Kikuchi — Probable (illness; expected available in relief)
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
Pittsburgh — RHP Paul Skenes
- 2026 Stats: 4–2, 2.71 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
- K/9: 11.8
- BB/9: 2.6
- Profile:
- Triple-digit fastball (99–101 mph)
- Devastating slider; improving changeup
- Generates elite swing-and-miss
- Matchup Notes:
- Blue Jays struggle vs high-velocity righties
- Toronto’s lineup missing Bichette and Kirk = fewer RH threats
- Skenes’ only vulnerability is occasional HRs on elevated heaters
Toronto — LHP Patrick Corbin
- 2026 Stats: 2–5, 5.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP
- K/9: 6.3
- BB/9: 3.1
- Profile:
- Veteran lefty relying on slider command
- Velocity down (90–91 mph)
- Struggles vs right-handed power
- Matchup Notes:
- Pirates’ lineup is righty-heavy (Reynolds, Cruz, Suwinski, Gonzales)
- Corbin’s HR issues (1.4 HR/9) are dangerous in Rogers Centre
- Needs ground balls to survive
TEAM RECORDS & RECENT FORM
Pittsburgh Pirates (26–25)
- Last 10: 6–4
- Road Record: 12–13
- Run Differential: +7
- Trend: Pitching carrying the team; offense inconsistent
- Strength: Rotation anchored by Skenes + Keller
- Weakness: Bullpen weakened without Bednar
Toronto Blue Jays (24–27)
- Last 10: 4–6
- Home Record: 13–12
- Run Differential: –21
- Trend: Offense slumping; pitching depth thin
- Strength: Still strong OBP from core hitters
- Weakness: Missing Bichette’s bat and Gausman’s innings
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Pirates Hitters vs. Corbin
- Bryan Reynolds: .310 vs LHP; elite matchup
- Oneil Cruz: HR threat vs low-velocity lefties
- Jack Suwinski: Power bat; Corbin’s slider must be sharp
- Rowdy Tellez: Familiar with Corbin from NL days; strong matchup
Blue Jays Hitters vs. Skenes
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: Best chance for damage; elite bat speed
- Daulton Varsho: Lefty power plays well vs high fastballs
- George Springer: Veteran approach helps vs velocity
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa: Contact hitter; tough to strike out
SERIES HISTORY
- 2023–2026: Blue Jays lead 5–4
- At Rogers Centre: Toronto has won 3 of last 4
- Last meeting (2025): Toronto won series 2–1
BETTING TRENDS
Pittsburgh
- 5–2 in last 7 games
- Under is 6–3 in last 9
- Skenes starts: Pirates are 7–3
Toronto
- 2–6 in last 8 home games
- Under is 5–2 in last 7
- 1–4 in last 5 vs NL opponents
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates – 147
Toronto Blue Jays 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026
