Gausman to start Game 1 for Blue Jays

There was no wild-card series sweep this time around for the Toronto Blue Jays. 

TORONTO – There was no wild-card series sweep this time around for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Quick playoff exits over three of the last five years have become learning experiences. Bigger things are expected this October after the Blue Jays topped the American League standings.

A 94-win performance gave Toronto a bye to its first AL Division Series appearance since 2016. It comes with a different feel and it’s not just the summer-like conditions expected this weekend in the Ontario capital.

Baseball franchise royalty has arrived at Rogers Centre in the form of the New York Yankees. With Aaron Judge leading the way, the Bronx Bombers are a homer-happy powerhouse with the machismo to match.

It’ll be up to Game 1 starter Kevin Gausman and the well-rested Blue Jays to set the early tone Saturday in a best-of-five showdown that has baseball observers licking their lips.

“Veteran pitcher going against a veteran lineup,” said Toronto manager John Schneider.

Gausman was 10-11 this year with a 3.59 earned-run average and 189 strikeouts over 32 starts. He’ll face a potent Yankees lineup that advanced to the ALDS on Thursday night with a 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox.

“Any time you get to toe the rubber for the biggest game of the year up to that point, it shows that they have faith in you and that they believe in you,” Gausman said. “Yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m fired up.”