The Arizona Diamondbacks continue their weekend series on Saturday at the Toronto Blue Jays. The game starts at 12:07 pm and can be seen on Bally Sports Arizona.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman was scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday against the Diamondbacks due to left side discomfort, the Toronto Blue Jays announced.
Right-hander Chris Bassitt will start in place of Gausman, who was chosen for the All-Star Game but opted to skip the trip to Seattle.
The news is a good break for the Diamondbacks, who will avoid facing one of the better pitchers in baseball this series. Bassitt has a 4.19 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 36 walks in 109 2/3 innings.
Saturday’s Diamondbacks-Blue Jays pitching matchup
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (11-3, 3.04) vs. Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt (8-5, 4.19).
Gallen is fresh off his start for the National League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, when he fired a scoreless first inning. … Prior to that, he threw seven innings of one-run ball against the Pirates in his final start before the break. … He has a 2.91 ERA over his past five starts, with four walks and 32 strikeouts in 34 innings. … Gallen has never faced the Blue Jays. … This will be Bassitt’s 20th start this season for the Blue Jays, who he joined this offseason as a free agent. He has allowed 18 home runs, tied for fifth most in baseball. … Pitching last year for the Mets, Bassitt faced the Diamondbacks once, allowing one run and two hits in six innings in a 10-3 win April 15.
Coming up
Sunday: At Toronto, 10:37 am, Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (5-1, 3.75) vs. Blue Jays LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-3, 4.24).
Monday: Off.
Tuesday: At Atlanta, 4:20 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Zach Davies (1-5, 6.37) vs. Braves RHP Bryce Elder (7-2, 2.97).
Wednesday: At Atlanta, 4:20 pm, Diamondbacks TBA vs. Braves RHP Michael Soroka (1-1, 5.31).
What to know about the Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have spent nearly the entire season over the .500 mark and positioned to grab a playoff spot, but they have dealt with a number of inconsistencies that have kept them from truly taking off. RHP Alek Manoah had a nightmare first half, but after getting optioned to the minors for a month, he might have gotten himself back on track last week vs. the Tigers. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having a solid year, hitting .277/.344/.443, but for a player who has contended for MVP awards the Blue Jays are likely hoping for more. SS Bo Bichette is having another strong offensive season, hitting .317/.346/.496 with 15 homers. RHP Kevin Gausman has thrown well, logging a 3.03 ERA with 153 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings.
Early Diamondbacks-Blue Jays reading
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Second-half lookahead: Questions facing Diamondbacks as they try to build on first-half success
2024 schedule released: Diamondbacks will host Yankees, Angels
Greg Moore: Corbin Carroll’s first All-Star appearance is a reminder to stay in the moment
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: D-Backs-Blue Jays updates: Toronto scratches Gausman; Bassitt starting