Dodgers Vs. Blue Jays Game Preview: Shohei Ohtani Playing In Toronto For First Time Since Free Agency

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ road trip continues with a weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays to features multiple storylines.

The most noteworthy of which is Shohei Ohtani playing in Toronto for the first time since a whirlwind free agency period. Ohtani visited the Blue Jays’ Spring Training facility in Dunedin, Fla., but contrary to reports on a fateful December day, never was aboard a private flight from Southern California to Toronto.

Ohtani and agent Nez Balelo have also refuted the notion the two-way star ever was on the verge of signing with the Blue Jays. Ohtani nevertheless spoke highly of the Blue Jays organization this week, and president and CEO Mark Shapiro believes the franchise has made significant strides in being a destination for free agents.

Another wrinkle to the three-game series at Rogers Centre is Justin Turner playing against the Dodgers for the first time this season. Turner signed with the Blue Jays after spending the 2023 season with the Boston Red Sox, which brought an end to a nine-year Dodgers career.

On the pitching front, Gavin Stone is looking to bounce back from struggling a bit against the New York Mets. Stone only allowed two runs but he issued five walks and pitched just 3.1 innings.

Overall this season Stone is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in four starts. He’s logged fewer than four innings in two of those outings.

The Blue Jays counter with veteran Chris Bassitt, who is in his second season with the team. Bassitt enters 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA 1.59 WHIP across six starts this year.

Bassitt allowed four earned runs in consecutive starts to begin the season but otherwise has held opponents to two or fewer in his last three outings.

Dodgers lineup

SS: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Teoscar Hernández
CF: James Outman
RF: Andy Pages
2B: Gavin Lux

Blue Jays lineup

RF: George Springer
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
SS: Bo Bichette
DH: Justin Turner
CF: Daulton Varsho
C: Danny Jansen
LF: Addison Barger
3B: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
2B: Cavan Biggio