MLB Starting Lineups: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees | Spring Training 2023

The Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees are two of the heaviest-hitting teams in all of baseball. Last year, the two clubs combined for 454 home runs in 2022, accounting for about 17% of all dingers in the AL.

To pour further fire on the rivalry, the two teams are both members of the AL East and meet several times every season. Due to this, there is no shortage of drama and fireworks.

One example happened last season when Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah disparaged Yankees ace Gerrit Cole by calling him a "cheater." No doubt, tensions always run high when these two teams meet.

The two teams will meet for the third time this preseason. The Yankees have scooped up victories in each of their first two games, outscoring the Toronto Blue Jays by an aggregate score of 19-8. The two teams will meet at 1:07 on March 18 at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin, Florida.

Toronto Blue Jays lineup

The Toronto Blue Jays will welcome back Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after the slugger was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic. The former AL home run champ is a career .289 hitter against the Yankees.

Additionally, former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier will start in center field and bat ninth. Kiermaier signed a 1-year deal worth $9 million with the Jays this offseason. He will be situated between George Springer and Daulton Varsho in the outfield.

"Today's lineup! The #BlueJays host the Yankees today in Dunedin. All regulars will be playing today, with Bowden Francis getting the ball. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 PM EST from TD Ballpark." - Eveyrthing Blue Jays

New York Yankees lineup

Flamethrower Nestor Cortes will be starting on the mound for the Yankees. The 27-year old Cuban posted an ERA of just 2.44 in 2022, and was rewarded with a 1-year, $3.2 million contract extension.

With Opening Day approaching, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone still has some shuffling to do. Notably, Anthony Volpe, the Yankees' 2019 1st overall pick, is getting the nod at shortstop. This means that Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was the Yankees' starting shortstop in 2022, will make the move to second base. Big bats like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo will also all be present.

"Nestor on the bump" New York Yankees

In short, both teams will have to excorsize their demons this season. For the Toronto Blue Jays, that means moving past their precarious Wild Card finish. Last year, the Jays squandered an 8-1 lead over the Seattle Mariners to fall in the AL Wild Card series.

For the New York Yankees, it is all about one team. The Houston Astros handed the Bronx Bombers a humiliating sweep in last year's ALCS, and they are determined not to let that happen again.