Series Preview: Blue Jays Keep Clubbin’…Orioles are Next

Jun 15, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

(56) pitches against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2: Kevin Gausman (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs Mark Buehrle (7-4, 4.01 ERA)

Gausman was supposed to take the next step and really solidify his spot in the rotation. Injuries have bit him a bit and he hasn’t taken that next step just yet. He has been kept on a short rope while he comes back from a shoulder injury. This will be his first start since rehab and time in the bullpen so don’t expect too much out of him when he takes the mound. There will most certainly be a pitch limit so the Blue Jays should be ready to strike against a guy who isn’t all the way back quite yet. Gausman will eventually take his spot in the rotation and judging by his season last year he will be there for a more years. This game though…well it might be a wee bit tough for the kid.

After a rather lousy start to the season where people (including myself) questioned whether Buehrle had maybe finally hit a downturn in his career as many older pitchers do. His numbers in April and most of May were brutal with an ERA around 5. His last 7 starts though have shown that he truly does still have it and has reclaimed his known story of being a notoriously slow starter (excluding last season).  A 2.75 ERA to go along with a WHIP of 0.92. This is pretty wild even for Buehrle.  This game seems to be over before it begins.