September 8, 2026 • 9:04 PM EDT
Updated 4 hours ago
There’s fresh life in Oakland as the A’s chase back-to-back wins over the Blue Jays tonight. After last night’s 6-5 walk-off stunner, the club rolls into game two of the series with momentum—and another chance to play spoiler against a Toronto team desperate for wild card traction.
You’ve got Jack Perkins on the hill for the A’s. He’s got a weird mix going: 116 strikeouts in under 100 innings shows nasty swing-and-miss stuff, but a 3-10 record with a 6.50 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP tells the rest of the story. The arsenal is impressive, but the control? Not so much. That’s kept him off balance, both in the rotation and the minors this year. Just last week, Perkins was sent down after a wild three-inning start where he walked five—only to be immediately recalled when J.T. Ginn landed on the IL. So, he’s still figuring things out but you know the stuff is there if he puts it together.
The A’s are keeping a close eye. If Perkins has an outing like his last one, there’s a real chance he could end up back in the bullpen, possibly long relief. So tonight’s start isn’t just about beating Toronto—it might determine where he fits as the A’s close out the season.
According to Yahoo Sports, Henry Bolte is again in the spotlight after his big showing yesterday, and Zack Gelof is chasing some rare numbers—just three home runs and six stolen bases shy of a 20-20 year. Toronto’s defense will really have to watch these two on the basepaths, especially after they ran wild in game one.
Lawrence Butler’s hot streak has cooled, and the A’s badly need him to snap out of it. Same for Jonah Heim, who’s been slumping at the plate. There is some good news though: Tommy White returns to the lineup after missing five games with back trouble. If his bat is healthy, that’s a shot in the arm for an offense looking to back up their pitching.
The Blue Jays Counter with Soriano
Toronto hands the ball to José Soriano, one of their key trade deadline adds. He came over from the Angels, where he posted a solid 3.29 ERA in 22 starts. Since landing with the Jays, he’s at 2-1 with a 4.36 ERA in six starts—not overpowering, but steady enough. Still, his history versus Oakland isn’t great: a 7.52 ERA over 10 career appearances. The A’s know his stuff and have hit him plenty before. This is Soriano’s first time facing the A’s in a Jays uniform after two earlier no-decisions.
The Blue Jays lineup is missing George Springer tonight, and they shuffle in Josh Smith and Jesús Sánchez for their first starts in the set. Oakland can’t overlook Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Andrés Giménez—the latter tied last night’s game with a homer. Those are the real danger zones for Perkins, especially if base runners are on.
What to Watch For Tonight
- Jack Perkins looks to establish command and avoid early walks after his last short start.
- Athletics’ speedsters Bolte and Gelof test Toronto’s arms after running wild in game one.
- Tommy White returns to the lineup, giving the A’s a much-needed power boost.
- Lawrence Butler and Jonah Heim try to shake off batting slumps.
- Blue Jays starter José Soriano faces Oakland for the first time since a big trade—and tries to reverse a rough history against them.
- Toronto’s lineup changes as key regular George Springer is out.
Key Takeaways for Bettors
- Athletics’ offense may pressure Soriano early, given their strong history against him.
- Look for fast baserunning potential with Bolte and Gelof creating scoring chances.
- Tommy White’s return can spark the A’s lineup; consider his total bases prop if available.
- Perkins’ high walk rate still makes an Over on earned runs a strong angle if you’re playing pitcher props.
- With bullpen work likely for both sides, live betting late innings could be sharp.
- Toronto’s new lineup pieces haven’t faced Perkins much; watch for how Smith and Sánchez handle unfamiliar matchups.
- Blue Jays desperate for a bounce back; motivation is high, but so is pressure on Soriano in a tough spot.
- If Butler or Heim break out of their slump, Oakland’s run total could be a sneaky value bet.
More coverage: more MLB headlines, MLB betting hub and MLB picks and predictions.
Related stories
21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We may earn a commission from affiliate links.
Login 
