Munro: Soroka's win on Friday was 60th by Canadian pitcher vs. Blue Jays

When Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) registered a win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, it represented the 60th win by a Canadian pitcher versus the Blue Jays. Photo: Arizona Diamondbacks

April 20, 2026


By Neil Munro

Canadian Baseball Network

When Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in his start against them on Friday, it was his third career win against the Blue Jays.

It also represented the 60th win by a Canadian pitcher against the Blue Jays overall.

Kirk McCaskill (Kapuskasing, Ont.) has the most wins by a Canadian pitcher against the Blue Jays with nine.

On Friday, Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) started and allowed just two runs on five hits, while striking out five, in seven innings to lead the D-Backs to a 6-3 victory.

Soroka was just seven years old when the Montreal Expos ceased to exist, so, needless to say, he never had a chance to pitch against them. But over the years, Canadian pitchers also registered 35 wins against the Expos.

Not suprisingly, Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) led the way with 10 wins against the Expos. The Canadian pitching legend recorded a combined 16 victories against the Expos and Blue Jays.

Here’s a summary of wins by Canadian pitchers against the Blue Jays and Expos:

Wins vs.  Losses vs. TotalTotalWon-Lost
PitcherTorontoMontrealTorontoMontrealWinsLossesPercentage
Ferguson Jenkins610391612.571
Rheal Cormier2807107.588
Kirk McCaskill908098.529
Reggie Cleveland351485.615
Ryan Dempster151061.857
James Paxton604064.600
Mike Soroka302032.600
Jesse Crain302032.600
John Hiller302032.600
Jeff Francis302032.600
Nick Pivetta305035.375
Paul Quantrill032638.273
Cal Quantrill2000201.000
Chris Reitsma *1100201.000
Aaron Myette201021.667
Rich Harden203023.400
Erik Bedard206026.250
Jameson Taillon *101011.500
Shawn Hill101011.500
Adam Loewen101011.500
Mike Gardiner102012.333
Scott Diamond102012.333
Eric Gagne011213.250
Jason Dickson1000101.000
Paul Spoljaric1000101.000
Claude Raymond0100101.000
Ron Taylor0100101.000
Barry Cort1000101.000
Matt Brash1000101.000
Chris Mears001001.000
Jeff Zimmerman001001.000
Matt Maysey001001.000
Gordie Pladson000101.000
Jordan Romano001001.000
Steve Wilson000202.000
John Axford002002.000
Totals6035563195870.522