The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for another exciting matchup as they go head-to-head with the Houston Astros during spring training on March 14, 2025. Scheduled for 6:07 PM at the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, located in West Palm Beach, Florida, excitement is bubbling for fans eager to see how their teams are shaping up before the regular season.
Arriving with impressive records, the Blue Jays stand at 12-6, showcasing their strong performance early on. Meanwhile, the Astros are slightly behind with their record at 10-9. Despite the outcomes of spring training games being viewed largely as preparatory, teams are always eager to win – no one wants to walk away from spring training without feeling they’ve gained momentum.
The match will not be broadcast on television or radio, but fans can follow along through MLB Gameday for real-time updates. The pitching duel features right-hander Yariel Rodríguez for the Blue Jays, who has struggled somewhat during spring with a record of 1-0, 12.00 ERA, and seven strikeouts. Rodriguez has faced challenges, allowing multiple runs in each of his appearances so far. Recently, he conceded two earned runs over three innings.
On the other side, the Astros will present Hayden Wesneski, also a right-hander, stepping onto the mound with promise, having notched up impressive statistics of 0-0, 1.42 ERA, and 11 strikeouts so far this spring. Wesneski is entering his first season with the Astros after being acquired from the Cubs, and performances like his recent outing, where he allowed only one earned run over 2 1/3 innings against the Yankees, have fans buzzing with anticipation.
The Blue Jays are fielding a unique lineup for the game against the Astros, capitalizing on the chance to assess their roster depth without their usual starters. Standing out will be Anthony Santander, who is eager to make up for lost time after starting his spring training later than his peers. Andrés Giménez will occupy the cleanup spot, continuing to find his rhythm within the team.
The full starting lineup for the Blue Jays includes: Will Wagner at first base, Davis Schneider as the designated hitter, Anthony Santander right field, Andrés Giménez at second, Ernie Clement at third, Joey Loperfido left field, Tyler Heineman as catcher, Nathan Lukes in center, and Leo Jiménez at shortstop.
Likewise, the Astros lineup features Isaac Paredes at third, Ben Gamel as the designated hitter, Yainer Diaz catching, Zach Dezenzo at first, Chas McCormick handling center field, Quincy Hamilton right field, Mauricio Dubón at shortstop, Luis Guillorme at second, and Colin Barber left field.
Further adding excitement to the day, Alek Manoah, the Blue Jays’ right-handed pitcher, threw off the mound for the first time since June 2024. He described the experience as “amazing” and conveyed his eagerness to return fully to the game. “The last thing missing… It’s like, ‘I need the slope. Give me the slope,’” Manoah recalled, expressing relief and excitement to be back on the mound.
Supportive signs emerge for the Blue Jays as they anticipate the potential return of Manoah as he aims to face hitters again by June, leading to his potential rehab assignment later this summer.
Max Scherzer also recently gained attention as he threw a bullpen session, which reportedly showed positive signs following his thumb soreness. At the same time, Erik Swanson is dealing with elbow issues classified as “medial nerve entrapment,” though without structural concerns. Swanson is expected to return to his throwing program shortly after receiving treatment, helping maintain depth within the Blue Jays' pitching rotation.
While today’s match against the Astros may not hold the significance of the regular season, it presents ample opportunity for both teams to refine strategies, gauge player performances, and continue building chemistry within their rosters.
Anticipation fills the air as Blue Jays fans hope for their team to capture another victory and extend their winning streak, all eyes on CACTI Park tonight!