Venue: Rogers Centre — Toronto, Ontario
First Pitch: 1:37 PM ET
Broadcast: Sportsnet, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB.TV
The Pirates and Blue Jays wrap up their interleague weekend set with both clubs hovering around .500 and searching for traction as Memorial Day approaches. Pittsburgh sends Mitch Keller, their most reliable starter, while Toronto counters with Dylan Cease, whose electric stuff has been paired with inconsistent command in 2026. With both teams needing a series win to stabilize their standings, this matchup carries early-season significance.
Venue & Weather
Rogers Centre — Toronto, ON (Retractable Roof)
Weather Outside:
- Temperature: 68–72°F
- Wind: 8–12 mph
- Rain: 20%
- Roof Status: Likely closed
Impact:
- Roof closed → neutral-to-slightly hitter-friendly
- Ball carries well to left-center
- Breaking balls tend to bite harder indoors
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Oneil Cruz — Active
- Ke’Bryan Hayes — Day-to-day (back tightness)
- Henry Davis — OUT (hand)
- Marco Gonzales — OUT (forearm)
- David Bednar — Active
Toronto Blue Jays
- Bo Bichette — Active
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — Active
- George Springer — Day-to-day (hamstring)
- Kevin Gausman — OUT (shoulder)
- Jordan Romano — OUT (elbow)
Team Records & Recent Form
Pittsburgh Pirates (26–26)
- Last 10: 5–5
- Trend: Pitching solid, offense inconsistent
- Strength: Rotation stability, improved bullpen
- Weakness: Middle-of-order production
Toronto Blue Jays (25–27)
- Last 10: 4–6
- Trend: Offense struggling, pitching uneven
- Strength: Top-of-order power
- Weakness: Bullpen depth without Romano
Probable Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh — RHP Mitch Keller (4–3, 3.61 ERA)
- Profile:
- Four-seam/cutter/slider mix
- Generates weak contact
- Excellent command when ahead in counts
- Splits:
- Vs RHB: .232 AVG
- Vs LHB: .248 AVG
- Road ERA: 3.88
- Matchup Notes:
- Must keep the ball down vs Guerrero Jr.
- Keller’s cutter plays well vs Toronto’s right-handed heavy lineup
Toronto — RHP Dylan Cease (3–4, 4.44 ERA)
- Profile:
- High-velocity fastball, elite slider
- Strikeout-heavy but walk-prone
- Vulnerable to long innings
- Splits:
- Vs RHB: .241 AVG
- Vs LHB: .259 AVG
- Home ERA: 4.70
- Matchup Notes:
- Pirates’ lefties (Suwinski, Joe from left side) must force deep counts
- Cease’s slider is the X-factor — if sharp, he dominates
Key Player Matchups
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) vs. Mitch Keller
- Guerrero is heating up in May
- Keller must avoid middle-in cutters Advantage: Toronto
2. Oneil Cruz (PIT) vs. Dylan Cease
- Cruz’s long levers struggle vs elite sliders
- But Cease’s command lapses could give Cruz HR opportunities Advantage: Even
3. Bo Bichette (TOR) vs. Keller
- Bichette thrives vs fastballs
- Keller’s cutter could neutralize him Advantage: Even
4. Bryan Reynolds (PIT) vs. Cease
- Reynolds handles high-velocity righties well
- Cease’s slider must stay sharp Advantage: Pittsburgh
Series History
- 2025 Season: Teams split 2–2
- 2026 Season: Series tied entering Sunday
- At Rogers Centre (last 6): Blue Jays lead 4–2
- Trend: Games tend to be low-scoring early, offense picks up late
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Under is 6–3 in last 9 games
- Pirates are 4–1 in Keller’s last 5 starts
- Pittsburgh is 3–7 in last 10 road games vs AL teams
Toronto Blue Jays
- Blue Jays are 2–5 in last 7 home games
- Over is 5–2 in last 7 Toronto games
- Toronto is 3–6 in Cease’s last 9 starts
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates 7.5
Toronto Blue Jays – 163
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, May 23, 2026
