The Lead

Orioles Slow Jays As Roster Crunch Bites

Dylan Beavers hit his first career leadoff home run and Coby Mayo added a solo shot as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Blue Jays 7-4 on Friday night at Rogers Centre. Rookie Brett Bateman collected three hits, including his first career homer, a two-run blast in the ninth. Rico Garcia closed it out for his eighth save in 14 chances, and Chris Bassitt beat his former team.

The result landed hours after Toronto designated Jesus Sanchez for assignment and called up Rudy Martin for his major league debut, a corner outfield swap made in the middle of a wild-card fight rather than in a rebuilding year. Sanchez was hitting .260 with eight home runs when he was cut loose. That is not a depth move made from comfort.

Every outfield at-bat now carries standings weight, and a debut this late in September says more about roster thinness than about opportunity. The Blue Jays are not collapsing. They are choosing who finishes the year in the lineup while the margin for error keeps shrinking.

The Rest of the Slate

US Open

Alexander Zverev beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6) to reach his second Grand Slam final of the year, stretching his run to 13 consecutive sets won. Shelton advanced to face Zverev in Sunday's final after outlasting Tiafoe, closing the semifinal with a stretch of serves that reached 144 miles per hour. Shelton is chasing the first American men's major title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Zverev now stands directly in his way.

Maple Leafs

General manager John Chayka confirmed Max Domi remains out indefinitely and will not be on the ice when training camp opens next week. Rookie Gavin McKenna will skip the four-team prospect tournament in Gatineau so the No. 1 pick can arrive at main camp rested.

The Number

Consecutive sets won by Zverev entering the US Open final That stretch includes two five-set survivals in the tournament's first week followed by a clean run through the semifinal without dropping a set. Thirteen straight sets is durability, not a hot streak, and it makes Zverev the favorite against Shelton regardless of how big the American serves.

What's On Tonight

            4:00 PM ET · Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Banjo Bowl)
00 PM ET · Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Elks
07 PM ET · Blue Jays vs. Orioles
00 PM ET · BC Lions vs. Montreal Alouettes
          

Top Dog — Betting Angle

The pick: Blue Jays team total over tonight against the Orioles. Toronto found late power against a tiring Baltimore bullpen on Friday, and that kind of contact should carry into another high-scoring night at Rogers Centre.

“A wild-card race rewards depth before it rewards nostalgia”