MLB Game Preview: Toronto Blue Jays (54-39) vs. Athletics (39-56)

The Toronto Blue Jays (54–39) travel to Sutter Health Park to face the Oakland Athletics (39–56) on Friday, July 11 at 10:05 PM ET, opening a three-game interleague series. With Toronto leading the AL East and Oakland trying to build off a walk-off win over Atlanta, this matchup features veteran pitching, rising stars, and postseason implications for the surging Blue Jays.

Team Form & Standings

Team	Record	Last 10 Games	Home/Away Split
Toronto Blue Jays	54–39	9–1	22–23 (Away)
Oakland Athletics	39–56	5–5	18–30 (Home)

• Blue Jays are riding a hot streak, outscoring opponents by 24 runs over their last 10 games.
• Athletics just won a dramatic 5–4 game in 11 innings vs Atlanta, with Tyler Soderstrom delivering the walk-off.

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Max Scherzer (RHP)

• Record: 0–0
• ERA: 4.76
• WHIP: 1.35
• Last Start: 4 IP, 2 ER vs Angels
• Career vs Athletics: 3–1, 3.86 ERA in 9 starts

Athletics – Luis Severino (RHP)

• Record: 2–10
• ERA: 5.30
• WHIP: 1.39
• Last Start: 4.1 IP, 5 ER vs Giants
• Home ERA: 7.04 in 11 starts

Key Players to Watch

Toronto Blue Jays

• George Springer: 16 HR, 53 RBI – team leader in both categories
• Bo Bichette: .279 AVG, 12 HR – batting .342 over last 10 games
• Alejandro Kirk: .306 AVG – 4-game hit streak entering Friday
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: .276 AVG, 12 HR – 19 doubles, 53 walks

Athletics

• Brent Rooker: 19 HR, 48 RBI – ranks 17th in MLB in homers
• Jacob Wilson: .335 AVG – day-to-day with hand injury
• Tyler Soderstrom: 16 HR, 53 RBI – walk-off hero vs Braves
• Lawrence Butler: .252 AVG, 24 doubles, 13 HR

• Blue Jays are 11–4 when favored by –163 or more
• Athletics are 11–24 when listed at +137 or worse
• Over has hit in 5 of last 8 Athletics games

Game Storylines

• Scherzer’s Return: The 40-year-old makes his fifth start of the season after battling a thumb injury
• Severino’s Struggles: Winless at home with a 7.04 ERA; has allowed 6 HR in last 4 starts
• Offensive Firepower: Blue Jays rank 2nd in MLB in batting average (.259) and 3rd in OBP (.330)
• Series History: Toronto leads season series 4–0 and has outscored Oakland 24–13

Game Details

• Matchup: Toronto Blue Jays vs Oakland Athletics
• Date: Friday, July 11, 2025
• Time: 10:05 PM ET
• Venue: Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
• Broadcast: NBCS-CA / SNET / MLB.tv