The best strikeout machine in the American League this season? That is Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gaussman (32). Ironically, Toronto cannot afford to indulge in Gaussman’s splendor.

Gaussman started the home game against the Houston Astros in the 2023 major league held at Toronto Rogers Center, Ontario, Canada on the 7th (Korean time), 7 innings, 4 hits (1 home run), 13 strikeouts, 1 run, 5 wins (3 lost) His ERA was 2.63.안전놀이터

This season, Gaussman has not been lucky. He recorded an average ERA of 2.33 with 2 wins and 2 losses in 6 games in April and an ERA of 3.94 with 1 win and 1 loss in 5 games in May. However, in June, he won 2 games and had an earned run average of 0.66. He took the win in both games, and gave up only one run in 13⅔ actual innings.

In the process, he struck out 24 catches. He struck out 54 in 38⅔ innings in April and struck out 35 in 29⅔ innings in May. Compared to that, the strikeout pace in the two games in June is considerable. He’s a four-seam in the mid-90s with a powerful splitter and changeup. He struck out 10 or more in six of his 13 games this season.

It is now the only strikeout leader in the American League. With 113, he caught 17 more than Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels), who had 96. Even if the range is expanded to the entire major league, it is tied for first place with Spencer Strider (Atlanta Braves). Strider struck out 113 in 82 innings, while Gaussman struck out 113 in just 69⅔ innings.

Gaussman also leads the American League with 12.40 strikeouts per 9 innings. The second place is Ohtani with 12.17. In the major leagues, he is third after 14.60 striders and 12.77 hunter green (Cincinnati Reds). In addition, Gaussman’s K/BB rating is 6.28, which is third in the American League and Major League Baseball.

Gaussman is Toronto’s real ace. However, Toronto does not have time to appreciate Gaussman’s good pitching. Internally, the selection team is super-commercial. This is because Alec Manoa (13 matches, 1 win, 7 losses, 6.36 ERA), who was showing extreme sluggishness, went down to the rookie league. Whoever the replacement is, weakening of the starting lineup is inevitable.

Even a solid 1-4 starter can lay the foundation for a decent position in the pennant race. However, Toronto has no reliable starting pitcher except transfer student Chris Bassett (13 games, 7 wins, 4 losses, 3.29 ERA). Jose Berrios is recovering with a 3.66 ERA of 5 wins and 4 losses in 12 games, but it is not overwhelming. Yusei Kikuchi has been sluggish since May. 6 wins, 2 losses, 4.40 ERA in 12 games.

For Toronto, the best scenario is to build a one-two punch with Gaussman, showing the impact of the 2020 season and the beginning of the 2021 season after Ryu Hyun-jin returns. However, on the 7th, The Athletic mentioned the possibility of Toronto’s starting pitcher trade. This is because there is no guarantee that a pitcher who has completed Tommy John surgery and rehabilitation will immediately recover his former skills. In any case, it is expected that Ryu Hyun-jin’s health and skill recovery, which will return after the All-Star break, will have a significant impact on Toronto’s farming this season. First of all, until Ryu Hyun-jin returns, Manoa void must be filled well.