For a three-game slate, there are a surprising number of notable pitching storylines on Monday. The Tigers, Nationals, and Blue Jays will each get young starters back on the mound.

1. Red Sox secure playoff spot

Boston came up short against Tampa Bay on Sunday, but still locked up a postseason berth with Houston falling to Atlanta. The Red Sox are likely to end up with the No. 2 Wild Card spot in the AL. They currently sit five and a half games behind the Yankees and four games ahead of the White Sox. If nothing changes there, Boston would face New York in the first round. The playoff bid completes a remarkable turnaround for the Red Sox. The club was 14 games under .500 in late June.

2. Ryan to make Detroit debut

Right-hander River Ryan is expected to start for the Tigers on Monday. He was one of the prospects sent from Los Angeles to Detroit in exchange for two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Injuries have limited Ryan to 10 appearances at Triple-A this year. He has a 4.39 ERA across 41 innings. Ryan will be opposed by DJ Herz, who is expected to return to the Nationals after missing all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery.

3. Yesavage rejoining Blue Jays

Toronto righty Trey Yesavage will be activated from the IL for Monday’s matchup against the Orioles. Yesavage has missed about six weeks with right knee inflammation. He made one rehab appearance, throwing 34 pitches in a Triple-A outing. The Blue Jays are on the fringe of the AL Wild Card race after dropping two of three to the Rangers. The club is three games back of the White Sox for the last playoff spot.

Photo courtesy of Pablo Robles, Imagn Images