Kevin Gausman pitches another gem, but wasted effort in Blue Jays Game 6 loss

On a night where not much was really happening for the Toronto Blue Jays in their matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, there was a lone bright spot. That bright spot turned out to be ace Kevin Gausman as he pitched another gem for the Blue Jays in an otherwise disappointing Game 6 loss.

In his fifth start of the postseason, Gausman gave it everything he had for the Jays to help put them in good position to finish things off on Friday night. The 34-year-old veteran pitcher started off things with a blast by striking out the side in the first inning. In fact, he would actually retire six of the first seven Dodgers hitters on strikeouts. Later on, Gausman would also set down ten straight Los Angeles batters before leaving the game after the sixth inning.

Kevin Gausman pitches another gem for Blue Jays but Toronto fails to win

Unfortunately, his only blemish came in the third inning after getting two outs with Tommy Edman on second with a double. Things would unravel for Gausman just enough for the Dodgers to push three runs across the plate courtesy of a Will Smith double and Mookie Betts single and that was all she wrote.

The Blue Jays’ ace would finish with a strong stats line of six innings pitched, giving up three runs on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts on 93 pitches. In doing so, it made it the fifth straight start in these MLB Playoffs in which Gausman had gone at least 5.2 innings while holding his opponents to three runs or less along with four hits or less at the same time. That is exactly the consistency and elite performance that helps teams win championships.

However, the Blue Jays have managed to come up short and pulled out a win in only one of his starts, way back on October 4 against the New York Yankees in the ALDS. His brilliant effort was once again wasted in the potential clinching Game 6 of the World Series as Toronto was able to only scratch out one run on eight hits, including going a woeful 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position in a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.

With the loss, Gausman becomes the first pitcher in MLB history to go five-plus innings while allowing three runs or less in four consecutive postseason starts without earning a win, according to OptaSTATs.

As a result, the Jays will now have to face the Dodgers in the do-or-die Game 7 on Saturday and all hands will be on deck. Gausman will most likely be unavailable for the game, since he just threw on Friday. But given his competitive nature and will to win, it wouldn’t be too surprising if he suddenly does make a relief appearance to help the Blue Jays officially seal the deal.