Blue Jays place Jose Bautista in leadoff spot against Twins

The Toronto Blue Jays are mixing up their batting order in an effort to boost their offence and get back into the win column.

Slugger Jose Bautista will bat leadoff in Thursday's game in Minnesota against the Twins. He will be followed by Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Justin Smoak, Michael Saunders, Troy Tulowitzki, Jimmy Paredes, Russell Martin and Kevin Pillar. 

Bautista has been a fixture for the Jays in the No. 3 spot, but he hit second in the lineup Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays as Donaldson was given a day off. The 35-year-old outfielder hasn't hit in the leadoff spot since 2010. 

Bautista, a six-time MLB all-star who is set to become a free agent following this season, has a .222 batting average with seven home runs, 28 runs batted in and 35 walks in 42 games played in 2016.

Toronto, the reigning American League East champion, is entering a four-game series at Target Field with a 19-22 record after being swept at home against the Rays. 

First pitch tonight is expected to take place at 8:10 p.m. ET with a pitching matchup that features Marco Estrada taking the hill for the Jays and the Twins countering with Ervin Santana.