Blue Jays' Buehrle starting Sunday for shot at 200 innings

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle is starting Sunday's season finale just two days after the veteran left-hander tossed 103 pitches over 6 2/3 innings.

The expected start was confirmed when the Blue Jays unveiled Sunday's lineup card.

"It's important to me. It's important to Buehrle. It's probably more important to his teammates," manager John Gibbons said.

Gibbons told reporters Saturday that he would let the 36-year-old pitcher decide in the morning whether he wants to start the club's final game against the Tampa Bay Rays on one day's rest. Buehrle is two innings shy of becoming the fifth pitcher ever to toss 200 innings in 15 straight seasons.

"I hope people understand and respect that," Gibbons said of the decision. "He needs two innings and I expect him to give us two very good innings."

Buehrle, a five-time All-Star improved to 15-7 after allowing four runs on six hits with three strikeouts in Friday's 8-4 win over the Rays.

Despite already punching their ticket to the postseason, the American League East champions enter Sunday with something left to play for. Toronto trails the Kansas City by one game for the AL's top record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

According to Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago, Buehrle intends to retire at the end of the season. The 16-year veteran is not expected to be included on the Blue Jays' roster for the AL Division Series, which begins Thursday in Toronto.