Dylan Cease Excited for 'Party Atmosphere' in First Blue Jays Start

New Toronto pitcher predicts lively home debut at Rogers Centre

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:24pm

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Veteran pitcher Dylan Cease, who signed a $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason, is looking forward to the 'party atmosphere' of his first start at Rogers Centre. Cease, who spent his first five MLB seasons with the Chicago White Sox and the last two with the San Diego Padres, expects the home crowd to create an energetic, music-filled environment for his Blue Jays debut on Friday.

Why it matters

The Blue Jays are coming off a strong 2025 season where they fell just one game short of winning the World Series. With a talented rotation led by Cease, Max Scherzer, and Kevin Gausman, the team is poised for another deep playoff run in 2026 and will look to their raucous home crowd to provide an extra boost.

The details

Cease, 29, posted a 4.55 ERA with 215 strikeouts and an 8-12 record in 32 games for the Padres last season. He'll join a Blue Jays rotation that also includes Scherzer, Gausman, Eric Lauer, and Cody Ponce, aiming to help the team overcome injuries to pitchers Shane Bieber and Trey Yesavage. Cease is expecting the Rogers Centre crowd to create an energetic, 'house music vibe' and 'party atmosphere' for his first start with the team on Friday against the Athletics.

  • The Blue Jays' 2026 season opener is on Thursday, March 28.
  • Cease is scheduled to make his first start for the Blue Jays on Friday, March 29.

The players

Dylan Cease

A 29-year-old right-handed pitcher who signed a $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason after spending his first five MLB seasons with the Chicago White Sox and the last two with the San Diego Padres.

Shane Bieber

A Blue Jays pitcher who is currently injured and will miss the start of the 2026 season.

Trey Yesavage

A Blue Jays pitcher who is currently injured and will miss the start of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like it has a house music vibe, a party atmosphere... I'm looking forward to the next decade there.”

— Dylan Cease, Blue Jays Pitcher

What’s next

The Blue Jays will open their 2026 season on Thursday, March 28 against the Athletics, with Cease scheduled to make his first start for the team the following day.

The takeaway

Cease's excitement for the 'party atmosphere' at Rogers Centre underscores the high expectations and enthusiasm surrounding the Blue Jays as they look to build on their 2025 success and capture their first World Series title since 1993.