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Dylan Cease struggles as Toronto pitching strain worsens in loss to Rangers

Dylan Cease issued six walks and recorded career-low fastball velocity as the Toronto Blue Jays lost 7-1 to the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

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Early Control Struggles Shorten Cease’s Outing

ARLINGTON, Texas — Starter Dylan Cease allowed a career-low fastball velocity and matched a season-high six walks Friday as the Toronto Blue Jays fell 7-1 to the Texas Rangers. Cease managed only 2.2 innings, throwing 74 pitches and striking out three batters while placing just 35 per cent of his deliveries in the strike zone.

Cease opened the game with a 91.1-m.p.h. fastball, followed immediately by a 90.0-m.p.h. pitch. He walked four of the first six hitters he faced. Texas built an early lead in the second inning after an infield throw hit a runner, scoring two runs before a sacrifice fly and an RBI double from Corey Seager made it 4-0. Cease was removed in the third inning after loading the bases with two walks and a single.

“If you don’t have velocity or sharp stuff but you can throw strikes and execute, you can still get outs,” Cease said. “But the walks and not commanding the ball is not a good recipe.”

Manager Evaluates Starter’s Health and Workload

Cease’s fastball averaged 93.6 m.p.h. during the outing. Addressing whether physical issues affected his speed, Cease attributed the drop to the timing of the season.

“I think it’s just late in the year. Obviously, I’m still able to take the ball and throw and all that,” Cease said. “I don’t know if it changes that much. I’m just trying to get it in the zone and execute. Whether it’s 92 or 98, the name of the game is executing pitches. So, that’s all I’m really trying to do.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated the team does not plan to skip Cease’s next scheduled start on Wednesday against Baltimore.

“We’ll see,” Schneider said when asked about Cease’s next outing. “He’s reporting nothing. Feeling all right, feeling good. It’s where we are in the season. Everyone’s battling and grinding to make pitches, grinding to make plays.”

“So, we’ll just be in touch with him. But nothing physically alarming enough to say, ‘hey, we’re going to skip you’ or anything like that. So, just try to manage it, try to work through it in between, and get ready for his next one,” Schneider added.

Bullpen Coverage and Roster Decisions

Five Toronto relievers were required to record the final 16 outs on Friday. The team is currently navigating a stretched pitching staff, with consecutive bullpen days planned for Sunday and Monday. Starter Jose Soriano is set to take the mound Saturday, while 42-year-old Max Scherzer is being given an extra day of rest before pitching Tuesday.

“We’re asking a lot. We’re trying to monitor, when they’re in there, pitch count and number of ups and things like that,” Schneider said. “But we’re going to need Jose to be good tomorrow and reset it a little bit, that’s for sure.”

Spencer Arrighetti is slated to pitch the bulk of Sunday’s game. Trey Yesavage, who recently threw a side session after undergoing knee meniscus surgery, could be activated from the injured list to throw approximately 50 pitches Monday, or as early as Sunday if bullpen usage forces an acceleration. Meanwhile, Toronto recently designated reliever Michael Lorenzen for assignment, leaving open the possibility of calling up additional pitching depth from Buffalo.

Offensively, Toronto’s lone run arrived in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Myles Straw, following walks by Kazuma Okamoto and Josh Smith against Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. Reliever Trevor Williams then held Toronto to two hits over the final four innings to close out the victory for Texas.

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SPORTS

Why B.C. Lions Starters Are Resting as the Regular Season Concludes Against Winnipeg

B.C. Lions rest starters and name rookie Kaidon Salter as starting QB for Friday’s regular season finale against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Place.

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October 22, 2026

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Lions Prepare to Bench Starters in Regular Season Finale

Rookie quarterback Kaidon Salter is set to start for the B.C. Lions this Friday night as the team hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Place. Head coach Buck Pierce announced the starting change for the 7 p.m. kickoff, with quarterback Chris Oladokun expected to log playing time as well. Quarterback Nathan Rourke will be dressed as the third-string option but is not slated to play.

With a 10-7 record, the Lions enter the final weekend of the regular season locked into second place. The situation mirrors last week’s game in Calgary, where B.C. substituted heavily in the second half of a 32-13 loss to the Stampeders. Key offensive contributors including running back James Butler and receivers Keon Hatcher, Justin McInnis, and Stanley Berryhill are expected to sit out, alongside potential scratches on the defensive line in Casey Sayles and Mathieu Betts. Running back Emani Bailey and receivers Nate Demontagnac, Michael Fitzgerald, Jaden Williams, and Hergy Mayala are anticipated to see expanded roles.

Playoff Scenarios and Fan Events Set for Postseason

While B.C.’s playoff seed is settled, the 8-9 Blue Bombers require a victory to secure a postseason berth. Only two playoff spots remain open across the league: third place in the West Division and the fourth-place crossover spot to Toronto. A Lions win would eliminate Winnipeg from contention, placing Saskatchewan third if they beat Edmonton, and sending Calgary east as the crossover team. If Winnipeg wins, Saskatchewan must still beat Edmonton to secure third place; a Saskatchewan loss would create a rematch between Winnipeg and B.C., sending the Roughriders to Toronto.

Off the field, the organization confirmed it will host a pre-game tailgate party at the Plaza of Nations prior to the West Semifinal on Oct. 31. Following an earlier event on Sept. 12, the setup will feature food trucks, music, and family activities. Broadcast coverage for Friday’s regular season finale will be available on TSN, 730 CKNW, and Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600.

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Connor McDavid’s Early Scoring Splurge Draws Comparison to Mario Lemieux

Connor McDavid posts 23 points in eight games, placing his early pace alongside Mario Lemieux as the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers surge in NHL action.

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4 days ago

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October 20, 2026

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McDavid Reaches Rare Early-Season Scoring Territory

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has racked up 23 points across his first eight games this season, capped by a five-point showing in Saturday’s 6-2 victory against Utah. Across NHL history, only Mario Lemieux has recorded a higher total through eight contests, having posted 27 points in both 1992-93 and 1995-96, as well as 31 points in 1988-89. With the league operating on an 84-game schedule this year, McDavid’s current output keeps him on an early trajectory toward the 200-point mark—a milestone previously reached only by Wayne Gretzky, who accomplished the feat four times.

Bruins Hold Top Spot in Atlantic Division

In the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins have compiled a five-game winning streak following a 4-1 triumph over Los Angeles on Saturday. Despite missing defenceman Charlie McAvoy for six games due to a suspension carrying over from last spring’s series against Buffalo, Boston sits atop its division. McAvoy has since returned, averaging 25 minutes of ice time and registering three points over three games, while goaltender Jeremy Swayman and forward David Pastrnak continue to anchor the roster alongside contributions from young players Fraser Minten and James Hagens.

Offensive Outbursts and Outdoor Games Highlight League News

Offensive fireworks continued in South Florida on Saturday, where Carter Verhaeghe recorded Florida’s third natural hat trick in three games during an 8-3 victory over Seattle. Sam Bennett also notched three goals in the win. Elsewhere, Edmonton ranks second in goals allowed per game (1.83) over its last six outings as it begins a five-game homestand. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets are set to face off Sunday afternoon at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg for the 46th outdoor game in league history.

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Edmonton Fans to Experience First Home Playoff Game and West Final Since 2015

The Edmonton Elks defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 35-27 on Friday, securing their first home CFL West final and home playoff game since 2015.

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6 days ago

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October 17, 2026

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Elks Rally Past Blue Bombers to Earn Home Playoff Spot

With a 35-27 comeback win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, the Edmonton Elks earned the right to host the CFL West final for the first time in over a decade. The victory guarantees Edmonton its first home playoff matchup of any kind since 2015.

Edmonton head coach Mark Kilam expressed pride in his roster’s ability to lock up the spot in front of their home supporters. Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo noted that securing the home game accomplished phase three of their five-step plan, praising the local crowd for making a difference in the outcome.

Fajardo Powers Edmonton Comeback

Fajardo completed 12 of 17 pass attempts for 120 yards, throwing two touchdowns and rushing for two more. Edmonton established control late in the second quarter when Montrell Washington returned a kickoff 65 yards, setting up a four-yard touchdown pass to Austin Mack on third down with two seconds remaining. That score brought the Elks within 21-17 at halftime before Fajardo added a pair of short touchdown runs in the second half to secure the win.

The victory gave Edmonton a three-game season sweep over Winnipeg, a feat the franchise had not accomplished since 1979.

Winnipeg Playoff Hopes In Jeopardy

Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns on 28-of-33 passing, but two interceptions proved costly. A pick by Edmonton’s Kenny Logan Jr. at the Winnipeg nine-yard line quickly yielded a touchdown pass from Fajardo to Shunderrick Powell. Winnipeg tied a franchise mark when Nic Demski caught his 47th career touchdown, placing him atop the active league leaders alongside Kenny Lawler.

Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea cited critical missed plays as the primary reason for the loss, while Collaros took personal responsibility for the turnovers during key scoring opportunities. Winnipeg (8-9) missed its chance to lock up a postseason spot directly, though the team can still qualify if Calgary loses to B.C. on Saturday.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will conclude their regular seasons next week. Winnipeg travels to face the B.C. Lions on Friday, while the Elks (13-4) close out their schedule on the road against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.

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