The Toronto Blue Jays came into the 2022 season as a dark horse to represent the American League in the World Series.
If there was any knock on the team, many would think that it may be whether or not their pitching could hold up against the better competition in the league.
Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has done a great job of dispelling that notion thus far.
He pitched on Sunday against the Houston Astros, allowing only two runs through seven innings of work while recording ten strikeouts in a Blue Jays victory.
Through five starts this season, Gausman is keeping historic company. In 31.2 innings pitched, he has yet to allow a single walk or home run so far.
This is a historic feat that only Cy Young has done in the World Series era (since 1903) to begin a season.
Pitchers since 1903 to begin a season with 5 straight starts of 0 BB and 0 HR allowed (min. 20 IP):
Cy Young (Yes, that one) @KevinGausman 🤯 pic.twitter.com/tYSBx4KhOa
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 1, 2022
It is Gausman’s first year with the Blue Jays, and many were curious whether or not his success with the San Francisco Giants in 2021 would carry over.
The Giants’ home stadium (Oracle Park) is far more generous to pitchers than what Gausman has at home at Toronto’s Rogers Centre this season, and many thought this might affect Gausman’s production. But it hasn’t played much of a role whatsoever thus far, and many around the MLB world are beginning to take notice of just how excellent he has been.
Kevin Gausman is the only pitcher in the AL standing in the way of Alek Manoah's Cy Young Award. https://t.co/cNl9Dojn8q
— Ryan Decker (@RyanDecker_) May 2, 2022
Kevin Gausman to start his Blue Jays career
• 5 starts
• 2.30 ERA
• 41 STRIKEOUTS
• 0 WALKS (!!!) pic.twitter.com/hvPjqVwQfS— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) May 1, 2022
Time to fire up the ol "Kevin Gausman was filthy" story again today
— Mitch Bannon (@MitchBannon) May 1, 2022
So, Kevin Gausman is pretty terrific. #Bluejays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) May 1, 2022
Kevin Gausman's Unfair Splitters.
I don't know how anyone ever hits this absurd pitch. pic.twitter.com/KEcwbgCMiq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2022
There is certainly much more work for Gausman to do this season. But to this point, he is definitely looking like an early contender for the AL Cy Young Award in 2022. Which would be a nice coda to him making some since-Young history with his first five starts.
[MLB.com]
