The Toronto Blue Jays are handing the ball to their ace in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners.
Kevin Gausman entered Monday's Game 7 in relief on just two days' rest after starting Game 5 of the ALCS in Seattle. In that start, the right-hander threw 91 pitches over 5.2 innings of one-run ball. He struck out four allowed three hits and three walks in what ended as a 6-2 Blue Jays win.
He'll now look to help his club hold Seattle at bay with the Blue Jays trailing 3-1.
The two-time all-star hasn't pitched out of the bullpen since the 2021 post-season, when he was with the San Francisco Giants. In that game, he entered in the ninth inning of a Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, getting two outs.
In that same game, current teammate Max Scherzer pitched out of the bullpen for the Dodgers.
"I think the fact that they have done it is important," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said pre-game about the duo's experience in relief "I think the fact that they're veteran guys is important too.
"Again, it's not set in stone where we may use either one of them, but I think knowing that they are going to be mentally and physically ready if we do call on them is very comforting."
After Game 5, Gausman told reporters that he would be “cleated up and ready to go” for a potential Game 7.
Gausman started Game 1 of the series, also working 5.2 innings. In that start, he allowed two runs and struck out five.
Shane Bieber got things going for Toronto on Monday, working 3.2 innings before Schneider called down to the bullpen.
Watch as Gausman and the Blue Jays try to advance to the World Series live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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