Gunnar Henderson is no longer day-to-day.

He’s in tonight’s lineup in Toronto.

Henderson didn’t play Wednesday because of a sore left knee, but he’s at shortstop tonight and batting fifth.

Heston Kjerstad is in right field. Dylan Beavers remains the leadoff hitter and is in left.

Coby Mayo is the designated hitter, which puts Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third base.

Samuel Basallo is catching. He’s been dealing with right shoulder soreness.

Chris Bassitt has registered a 4.34 ERA in five starts since his back surgery. He’s allowed 10 runs in 25 innings in four career starts against the Blue Jays. He’s made 53 starts at Rogers Center and posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.207 WHIP in 315 2/3 innings.

George Springer is 8-for-23 with a double and two home runs against Bassitt. Myles Straw is 5-for-13.

Oriole relievers own a 2.11 ERA since Aug. 21 that’s the lowest in the majors.

The Orioles are three games behind the Guardians for the third Wild Card. The Blue Jays are one back and the Rangers are two after yesterday’s loss.

The 2024 Tigers and 2025 Guardians rallied from 3 ½ games back with 15 remaining to make the playoffs. The Orioles are trying to become the 16th team to accomplish the feat while trailing by at least three games, but they have the toughest strength of schedule in the American League. The Blue Jays have the ninth easiest.

Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer has made two stops on the injured list this season, limiting him to 14 starts. He’s carrying a 6.03 ERA in 62 2/3 innings, but it’s 3.76 ERA in his last eight appearances.

Pete Alonso is 4-for-20 with two doubles and 10 strikeouts against Scherzer.

Scherzer is the second-oldest pitcher to start a game for the Blue Jays behind Phil Niekro, who made three at age 48 in 1987.

The Blue Jays are 73-74 overall and 37-35 at home.

For the Orioles
Dylan Beavers LF
Pete Alonso 1B
Jackson Holliday 2B
Coby Mayo DH
Gunnar Henderson SS
Samuel Basallo C
Christian Encarnacion-Strand 3B
Heston Kjerstad RF
Colton Cowser CF

Chris Bassitt RHP

For the Blue Jays
Brett Bateman CF
George Springer DH
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Alejandro Kirk C
Nathan Lukes RF
Kazuma Okamoto 3B
Josh Smith LF
Andrés Giménez SS
Ernie Clement 2B

Max Scherzer RHP

The Blue Jays are listing Saturday’s starter as TBA. Dylan Cease starts on Sunday.

Note: I’ve regained my MASNRoch account on X. No more bitcoin or crypto.

I’d thank you for your patience, but how do I know that you had any? Southwest makes that same assumption during announcements on delayed flights.