Paxton Schultz Set to Open Friday as Eric Lauer Waits in the Wings
If you're keeping up with the Toronto Blue Jays' pitching situation, there's some interesting movement happening that’s worth talking about — especially with Paxton Schultz and Eric Lauer in the spotlight.
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According to reports from Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith, Paxton Schultz will be getting the ball to start Friday’s game. Now, Schultz isn’t necessarily being stretched out for a full-length starter role; instead, this looks more like an opener situation. That means we’ll likely see him go for an inning or two, maybe three at most, before handing things over to the bullpen — and that’s where Eric Lauer comes in.
Lauer is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind Schultz, essentially taking on the meat of the innings. And it actually makes a lot of sense. Lauer has quietly been doing some solid work lately — he’s thrown 7.1 scoreless innings over his last two appearances. That’s not just efficient; that’s dominance in limited opportunities. When you’ve got a veteran like him in the mix, it gives the Jays some flexibility in how they manage innings and matchups, especially as they navigate a tight schedule or look to give their regular starters a bit of a breather.
For Schultz, this is a great opportunity. He’s a rookie, and starting the game — even in an opener role — puts him in a spotlight situation. The Jays clearly see potential in him, and it’s not just about development anymore. Every inning he pitches now counts toward the club’s push for consistency and depth on the mound.
And for fantasy baseball managers, this setup might be something to keep an eye on. Schultz could be a sneaky play for cheap strikeouts early, while Lauer offers real value as a potential vulture for wins if he comes in during a close game and keeps the opposition quiet.
In the bigger picture, this move is a glimpse into how modern MLB teams manage pitching differently now. It’s not always about traditional roles; it’s about who can give you quality outs in the right situations. And for Friday’s game, that plan starts with Schultz, but don’t be surprised if Lauer is the one we’re talking about when the dust settles.
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