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Valenzuela Walk-Off Single Lifts Jays Over Phillies

6/11/2026

27 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Valenzuela Game-winner

Brandon Valenzuela hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning, giving the Toronto Blue Jays a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jhoan Duran blew his save as Dylan Cease returned, striking out 11 in six innings and holding the Phillies to one run.
Cristopher Sánchez threw seven innings with ten strikeouts, one walk and two runs in a 5-2 win, improving his record to 8-2 with a 1.54 ERA.

Summary

Phillies All-Star

2026 All-Star Game will be on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.
ESPN projects no Phillies starter will pitch despite the team’s surge.
Only four Phillies—Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Zack Wheeler and Jhoan Duran—are reserves.
Despite Jacob Misiorowski’s 1.50 ERA, 116 Ks and 0.808 WHIP, pitcher Sánchez’s 93.1 innings keep him to start.
Brandon Marsh bats .333/.366/.514 with eight homers, 30 RBI, 2.0 WAR and is omitted from roster.

Summary

Blue Jays Sign

Toronto announced Dylan Cease’s seven-year deal, reported as $175 million in one source and $210 million in another, the club’s largest free-agent contract.
Injuries to Cody Ponce, José Berrios and Bowden Francis reduced Toronto’s bullpen to nine pitchers.
Toronto signed veteran Patrick Corbin for $1 million and added Rule-5 pick Spencer Miles to the rotation.
FanGraphs gave Toronto a 7% postseason chance and a 38.6% Wild Card chance as of June 9.

History

Historical Context

After the New York Yankees signed left-hander CC Sabathia to a seven-year, $161 million deal in December 2008—the biggest pitcher contract ever—teams began using long-term, high-value deals to secure starters. In 2026 the Toronto Blue Jays followed that model, offering Dylan Cease a seven-year, up-to-$210 million contract, across the major leagues, cementing the trend of blockbuster starter contracts.

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Valenzuela Game-winner

Brandon Valenzuela hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning, giving the Toronto Blue Jays a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jhoan Duran blew his save as Dylan Cease returned, striking out 11 in six innings and holding the Phillies to one run.
Cristopher Sánchez threw seven innings with ten strikeouts, one walk and two runs in a 5-2 win, improving his record to 8-2 with a 1.54 ERA.

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