The Toronto Blue Jays are back in action for Game #35 of the season, taking on the Tampa Bay Rays in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. Today, the Jays are going with a traditional starter rather than an opener, with Eric Lauer taking the mound from the very first pitch. All eyes will be on Lauer to set the tone early and give the team a strong start.

Notably, the lineup is missing both George Springer and Tyler Heineman. Springer is reportedly available off the bench and is expected to start tomorrow, which is a relief after that scary ball off the foot incident. As for Heineman, his absence opens up questions about the catching situation. With Kirk set to return, the team has a tough decision to make. Valenzuela has looked solid both offensively and defensively behind the plate, making a strong case to stick around if it comes down to a roster crunch.

One of the more exciting developments in today's lineup is seeing Okamoto batting in the two-hole. It's refreshing to see the team move past the traditional notion that the power hitter must bat fourth. Okamoto deserves more at-bats, and this placement could pay dividends. Meanwhile, Yohendrick Pinango is leading off, and he's been having quality at-bats lately, setting the table nicely for the heart of the order.

The return of Barger and Lukes will create some interesting roster decisions down the road, but for now, the focus is on winning today. If Yohendrick keeps hitting like this, those decisions will only get harder—and that's a good problem to have. These things tend to work themselves out, and the Jays have plenty of depth to navigate the season ahead.