TORONTO – That is precisely what Shane Bieber hoped for when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. A raucous, sold-out Rogers Centre crowd towards a top-flight opponent.
It simply wasn’t the end result he needed.
Bieber gave up two runs on 5 hits, placing out six over 5 1/3 innings because the Blue Jays fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 on Friday in a possible World Sequence preview. The 2020 Cy Younger Award winner stated that the 41,390 followers at Toronto’s downtown ballpark didn’t disappoint in his Rogers Centre debut.
“I feel it’s good follow, proper?” stated Bieber after the sport. “All of us do that to win World Sequence and pitch in significant video games and playoff video games and so credit score to Jays followers, they’ve had a playoff environment since I’ve gotten right here.
“I used to be very excited to go on the market and pitch and compete and in the end, simply couldn’t get it accomplished.”
Bieber was traded by the Cleveland Guardians to the Blue Jays on July 31 for pitching prospect Khal Stephen. The 30-year-old Bieber hadn’t pitched for Cleveland in 2025 as he recovered from Tommy John surgical procedure, as a substitute making his season debut for Toronto in Miami on Aug. 22.
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He was spectacular in that begin, placing out 9 and permitting only one run on two hits over six innings within the 5-2 win over the Marlins.
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Bieber stated that enjoying at Rogers Centre, particularly within the colder climate as summer time turns to fall in Canada, will take some getting used to.
“Talked to a number of the guys post-outing, and so they stated that with the roof open pitches change,” stated Bieber. “Undoubtedly seen that tonight with sure pitches.
“I’m logging behind my head what to do and what really feel works for what pitch, whether or not the roof is open or not.”
Bieber picked up the place he left off on Friday night time, placing out the primary three batters he confronted. He solely allowed three hits till Andruw Monasterio’s homer within the sixth inning. His earned-run common grew to 2.38 within the loss.
“I assumed he was actually good. He’ll in all probability say the other, with some execution stuff,” stated Toronto supervisor John Schneider. “Wasn’t fairly as sharp with the spin in the present day, however actually, actually proud of the efficiency.
“He simply ran out of pitches there within the sixth, however I assumed he was poised, didn’t stroll anybody.”
Sport 2 within the weekend showdown between the American and Nationwide League leaders goes Saturday.
Bieber has a 63-33 file over his eight-year profession with a 3.21 ERA and 973 strikeouts. He’s a two-time all-star (2019, 2021) and was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2022.
Schneider stated throughout his pre-game media availability that in Bieber’s first week with the Blue Jays he’s instantly clicked with the remainder of the rotation, particularly with surefire Corridor of Famer Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt.
Schneider has usually described Scherzer and Bassitt because the clubhouse’s largest troublemakers and stated that Bieber additionally stepped into that brotherly dynamic.
“He’s match proper in. You realize, these conversations they’ve are fairly outstanding,” stated Schneider in his workplace. “I feel with a man like him, there’s some instant respect given for what he’s accomplished from guys which have additionally accomplished lots of their profession. He’s slot in very well.
“It’s cool that they’ll bounce concepts off each other, however he got here in and he match proper in. He’s just like the brother that tucks in his shirt. Or he’ll put his serviette in his lap whereas the opposite two depart it on the desk.”
VARSHO OK — Blue Jays’ star centre-fielder Daulton Varsho dropped to the turf in apparent ache after he was hit on the hand by a 96.9 m.p.h. sinker from Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby within the seventh inning. Myles Straw changed him.
Schneider stated after the sport that Varsho’s X-rays got here again unfavorable though the world round his pinky finger was nonetheless sore. No bandages or bruising had been seen on Varsho’s hand as he left the clubhouse after the sport.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Aug. 29, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
