Eric Lauer Starts for Blue Jays Against Rays in Game #35 — Nick Martinez
nick martinez opened Game #35 with Eric Lauer on the mound for the Blue Jays against the Rays, and Toronto did not appear to be using an opener. That put Lauer in the first-pitch role from the start, with the lineup already trimmed by the absence of Heineman and Springer.
Eric Lauer Takes the Ball
Lauer was the Blue Jays’ starter on the first pitch, which gave Toronto a straight start instead of a bullpen opening. The setup immediately narrowed the matchup to one pitcher handling the early innings rather than a patchwork approach.
Springer was not in the lineup, though he was supposed to be available off the bench. He was also supposed to start the next day, which left Toronto balancing one game’s lineup with the next day’s plan.
Blue Jays Lineup Changes
Yohendrick Pinango led off, and Okamoto hit second. Those spots give the order a different look from the usual top of the lineup, especially with Springer out and Heineman unavailable.
Valenzuela was behind the plate and had looked okay offensively while also seeming like a fine defensive catcher. That left Toronto with a workable battery, even with the missing pieces around it.
Barger And Lukes
The lineup choices also pointed past this game. When Barger comes back, it will be interesting to see what the Jays do, and it will be interesting when Lukes is really to come back.
A ball off the foot had looked really bad when it happened, and that earlier moment now sits behind the choices Toronto is making in Game #35. For a live thread, the useful read is simple: Lauer had the assignment, Springer was not starting, and the Jays were sorting the rest of the lineup around those absences.
