Blue Jays to start Trevor Richards as opener vs. Pirates Saturday

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetSeptember 03, 2022 - 12:36am

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The Toronto Blue Jays will get creative with their pitching Saturday in an attempt to line their best arms up for next week against the Orioles.

Manager John Schneider announced Friday night that right-handed reliever Trevor Richards will start Saturday's game as an opener. Schneider didn't elaborate on who would follow Richards out of the bullpen, but Yusei Kikuchi and Casey Lawrence are two stretched-out arms available.

Richards began his career as a starter for the Marlins but hasn't opened a game since he started four for the Rays in 2020. This season in 51 relief appearances for the Blue Jays, Richards has a 4.53 ERA with 61 strikeouts.

The move now allows the Blue Jays to have both Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman make starts in Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles, in a series that carries plenty of playoff implications. After both clubs won Friday, Baltimore remains 1.5 games back from the Blue Jays for the final wild-card spot.

"Knowing that the post-season is not guaranteed ever, I'm on board with pitching me whenever you need to if you think that's going to give us an advantage to win against a certain team," Gausman said.

You can watch Richards and the Blue Jays take on the Pirates Saturday night on Sportsnet and SN NOW. First pitch is scheduled to fly at 6:35 p.m. ET.

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