Kevin Gausman says he might see Blue Jays season's crash touchdown coming

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Maybe the worst factor concerning the car-crash ending to the Blue Jays season? The crew’s gamers might see it coming, virtually as if it occurred in gradual movement.

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In per week the place he was nominated as an American League Cy Younger Award finalist, Jays starter Kevin Gausman outlined what it was prefer to be within the Toronto dugout in Minnesota when teammate Jose Berrios was given the hook after pitching three-plus terrific shutout innings in opposition to the Twins.

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Chatting with the Foul Territory podcast on Thursday, Gausman mentioned the spectacular loss took away from what he believed was in any other case a powerful Jays season. And regardless of the shock issue of dwelling it within the second, the transfer was clearly telegraphed by administration and the teaching workers previous to the sport.

“Yeah, we had been all form of shocked,” Gausman informed hosts A.J. Pierzynski, Erik Kratz and Scott Braun. “On the similar time, we additionally knew going into that collection (Yusei) Kikuchi was going to pitch sooner or later. (Jays administration) wished to get him into that sport as a result of he was left handed and he’s actually completed nicely in opposition to Minnesota.

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“All of us form of knew (it was going to occur.) However on the similar time, that’s form of the issue with the sport proper now.”

Gausman understands that baseball at all times lends itself to second-guessing, particularly in relation to high-profile choices. However the ache of a playoff exit is barely heightened when hooked up to a name that explodes into controversy.

“You’re at all times going to be questioned concerning the strikes you make that don’t work out, particularly within the final sport of the season,” Gausman mentioned. “It was unlucky, as a result of that took away from how shut our crew was and the general season we had.”

With time to replicate on the flashpoint of that swift exit to the Twins because the Jays misplaced each video games within the best-of-three AL wild-card collection, Gausman laments the lingering fallout.

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“It simply form of sucked that the narrative was what it was,” Gausman mentioned. “It was simply so unfavorable. And it simply sucks as a participant as a result of there was a lot optimistic (concerning the season general.) And for sooner or later and one determination to be talked about for months — and will probably be talked about in spring coaching — it’s most likely going to be the primary query we’re requested.”

Virtually at all times forthright in his ideas on his crew and his personal sport, Gausman is carrying the annoyance of a second consecutive season through which issues ended with a playoff thud.

“What’s been essentially the most irritating the final two years is in the event you have a look at our roster prime to backside, talent-wise we examine with any crew on the large leagues,” Gausman mentioned. “It’s powerful to observe. The most important factor is it’s irritating as a result of you already know the expertise is there, however you simply must put it collectively.

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“(However) we nonetheless have a reasonably younger group. I believe the extra heartbreak you might have in baseball helps you out in the long term. Hopefully we will make a run at it the subsequent couple of years and it’ll make it that a lot sweeter.”

Gausman, who acknowledged he’s received no shot of successful the Cy Younger over Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, additionally shared his ideas on the troubled and abbreviated season of fellow Toronto starter, Alek Manoah.

The issues, Gausman mentioned, had been obvious initially of spring coaching when Manoah was behind from the get-go and by no means caught up.

“To be sincere, I believe he went by way of some issues in spring,” Gausman mentioned. “He received off to a late begin bodily (as a result of a shoulder concern.) I believe he got here in and tried to push it somewhat early and he by no means received to a great spot together with his arm and his mechanics and you could possibly inform that.”

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Gausman believes the heavy workload Manoah handles in his first full season performed a task in his bodily struggles.

“If you end up a 24- or 25-year-old man, you don’t know the impact it’s going to take in your physique,” Gausman mentioned of Manoah, who was a 2022 Cy Younger finalist after a breakthrough marketing campaign through which he logged 196.2 innings whereas posting a 2.24 ERA. “I believe he got here in and tried to push it somewhat early and by no means received to a great spot together with his arm and his mechanics and you could possibly inform that.”

As a veteran who has seen his share of ups and downs, Gausman has provided counsel to his youthful teammate.

“Principally, I inform him this sport just isn’t straightforward. All people goes to to by way of ups and downs. I’m a primary instance of that.”

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