The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays wrap up their three-game set at Rogers Centre on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in what promises to be a compelling rubber match between two teams with very different season trajectories. The Tigers enter with a 30–16 record and one of the best all-around resumes in the American League, combining explosive offense with consistent starting pitching and solid defense to lead the AL Central and establish themselves as early contenders. They dropped the middle game of the series but rebounded quickly to split the first two games and now look to take the series outright with rookie sensation Jackson Jobe on the mound. Jobe brings a 3–0 record and 4.32 ERA into the game, and the former top prospect has shown strong poise and command despite limited MLB experience, giving Detroit yet another arm to complement a rotation that already ranks among the best in the league. Offensively, Detroit enters the game second in the AL in total runs scored, thanks to a dynamic lineup led by Spencer Torkelson, who’s crushed 11 home runs, and the lefty-righty duo of Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene, both of whom have slugged nine long balls and driven in key runs throughout the early season.

The Tigers’ ability to combine power with plate discipline has been a significant advantage in high-leverage situations, and their ability to hit both righties and lefties has created matchup nightmares for opposing bullpens. Toronto, meanwhile, continues to battle inconsistency with a 22–23 record and an offense that’s been capable in bursts but frequently struggles with situational hitting and timely production. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette remain the key offensive catalysts, but the Blue Jays have yet to generate a reliable rhythm from the rest of the lineup, and their run differential remains middling despite the team’s star power. José Berríos will get the ball for Toronto and brings a 1–1 record with a 4.33 ERA, a number that has been shaped by both dominant starts and a few clunkers, making Sunday’s outing a pivotal one for the right-hander as he looks to establish consistency and keep Detroit’s deep lineup in check. The Blue Jays’ defense has been serviceable, though prone to occasional lapses, and their bullpen has struggled at times when tasked with holding slim leads or cleaning up inherited traffic, making it crucial for Berríos to pitch deep into the game. The Tigers will try to apply early pressure and force Toronto to the bullpen by the fifth or sixth inning, while the Blue Jays will look to string together productive innings and give Berríos the run support he needs to settle in. Sunday’s matchup offers more than just a series win—it’s a measuring stick for Detroit’s continued dominance and an opportunity for Toronto to prove they can hang with one of the AL’s top teams. With two young arms squaring off and offenses capable of putting up crooked numbers quickly, this game has all the ingredients for a high-energy finale to an evenly matched series.