The struggling Toronto Blue Jays are set to start returning pitcher Max Scherzer as they take on the surging Washington Nationals, with Major League Baseball's trade deadline just days away. The matchup is notable both for Scherzer's return to the mound and because both teams could be involved in deadline trades, a factor that analysts warn can disrupt betting handicaps as players become unavailable mid-game.

The Blue Jays currently sit ten games under .500 for the season, a sharp decline that has led commentators to suggest their form is beginning to resemble a disappointing follow-up to last year's World Series campaign. With the trade deadline approaching, betting analysts are advising caution, noting that mid-game trades and subsequent player farewells can throw off performance expectations for teams on both sides of the fixture.