Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains Toronto's offensive engine, hitting .300 with a .898 OPS while leading the Blue Jays in homers (21) and RBIs (69). His high OBP (.398) guards fantasy value even as the power pace sits below his 2021 peak. A left hamstring tightness forced his exit, injecting risk into the Toronto lineup as six weeks remain and playoff seeding looms.

Toronto counters with a deep, balanced attack led by Bo Bichette and George Springer, supported by a rotation featuring Kevin Gausman and Eric Lauer, with veteran depth from Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, and closer Jeff Hoffman. If Guerrero sits, expect more emphasis on OBP+contact players and a shuffle of the top of the order. The Yankees and Red Sox are within reach, but Toronto sits a half-game up for the AL’s top seed, making Guerrero’s health a key fantasy pivot down the stretch.

Toronto’s latest roster reshuffle highlights a deep Jays roster as they push for playoff rhythm. Joey Loperfido was optioned to make room for George Springer, underscoring the margin between productive depth and daily lineup stability. On the pitching side, Eric Lauer’s strong run made the fifth spot a hot debate with José Berríos’ recent velocity dip complicating a straightforward decision. Bieber’s arrival in Miami signals Toronto’s intent to test playoff-worthy rotations in real time, while the top three arms—Scherzer, Gausman and Bieber—anchor the staff. Toronto’s off-days later this month force a decision between a traditional five-man rotation or a six-man staff, balancing rest, bullpen length, and playoff readiness. Bassitt looms as a potential Game 1 candidate in a best-of-five, should the standings tighten and the bullpen demand remains high.

The piece drills into contract math and role clarity, explaining why Berríos’ $18.7M option and Lauer’s lack of a guaranteed deal shape the long-relief discussion. It also contemplates how the Jays manage a potential six-man spread without sacrificing bullpen integrity, especially with an eye on October. Fantasy managers should monitor innings allocations, long-reliever roles, and the timing of Bieber’s playoff cadence as Toronto paces toward a postseason run. Off-days, rest, and matchup-driven decisions all factor into Toronto’s late-season workflow.

Shane Bieber is slated to debut for Toronto Friday after being acquired from Cleveland for Khal Stephen at the trade deadline. Bieber hasn’t pitched in the majors since April 2024 due to UCL tears and Tommy John surgery, but he has impressed in the minors in 2025 with a 1.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 29 innings across Cleveland and Toronto systems. Manager John Schneider called him a pro who fits the rotation, and Bieber joins a Toronto group led by José Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, with Max Scherzer also in the mix. The Jays will follow the Pirates series with a road trip to the Marlins on Friday, after Monday’s Pirates visit and a series-closing loss to Texas Rangers highlighted the need for reliable depth. Bieber’s return provides a high-upside fantasy lift if he can sustain velo and command post-TJ, especially in a rotation that already carries strong options and a postseason window in a crowded AL East.

Paul Skenes faces Kevin Gausman in a marquee MLB showdown that has sportsbooks listing Toronto as the slight favorite on the road. Skenes owns a stingy 2.13 ERA this season and gives Pittsburgh a fighting chance despite the Pirates being near the bottom of the league in run production. Gausman has turned a corner, trimming his ERA to 3.79 while delivering quality starts over his last eight outings.

The betting board highlights Gausman over 17.5 outs, a logical play given his recent six inning rhythm and Torontos expected scoring pace against a limited Pirates attack. The overall forecast leans toward a low scoring game, with the Under favored as Skenes keeps the Jays in check and Pittsburgh supplies minimal offense. A late surge by either side remains possible, but the combination of Skenes command and Gausman depth tilts the night toward a compact, tactical contest rather than a blowout.

Pittsburgh hosts Toronto in a three-game set at PNC Park, opening with Paul Skenes against Kevin Gausman. Toronto’s offense has been hot, driving in 24 runs over the weekend and led by Bo Bichette’s 5-for-12 binge with two runs and three RBIs. Pittsburgh has dropped seven of its last ten, including a late loss in which Joey Bart delivered a couple RBIs in the defeat. The betting board shows the Jays as slight underdogs (+102) and the Pirates at -122, with a 7.0 total; Toronto has taken six straight at Pittsburgh. NBC’s model flags the over and a spread leaning toward Toronto’s +1.5 as plausible bets.

In fantasy terms, Bichette and Gausman are obvious targets here, while Skenes carries upside but comes with risk given Milwaukee’s past outing. The Jays’ lineup can test Skenes early, and Gausman’s experience against a rebuilding Pittsburgh squad could yield a multi-homer night for Jays bats. For the Pirates, Bart’s present power and a favorable home park angle provide solid streaming options if you believe in a high-scoring tilt.