Blue Jays choose Kevin Gausman as Opening Day starter for first time in career

Why Gausman makes a good Opening Day starter 

Gausman has recorded a 3.48 ERA across four seasons with the Blue Jays. We also can't forget how he was named a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award in 2023. 

He finished 2023 with a spectacular ERA of 3.16. He's been recognized as a veteran at the age of 35, entering his 13th season in MLB. He recorded a ground ball rate of 36.7%. While his signature splitter does generate groundballs, Gausman relies more heavily on fastballs and off-speed pitches to produce more swings and misses.

He has also anchored the rotation, demonstrating his capacity to handle a high volume of pitches early in the season. His pitching run value ranks in the 90th+ percentile, with a dominant combo that four-seam fastball/splitter combo that produces high strikeout rates. 

He has proven himself in crucial games, including postseason starts, making him trustworthy for high-pressure situations.

Gausman strengthens the rotation

He comes into the 2026 season in good health and has been pitching with increased velocity in spring training. Gausman is entering the final season of his five-year, $110 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays this season and then will enter free agency. 

He will earn $23 million this year, and the right-handed starter has been a fundamental part of the Blue Jays' core rotation. Gausman has pitched four solid, high-performing seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2022–2025. He has proven he's a veteran and a key part of their starting rotation. 

All are good reasons for him to be named the Opening Day starter. Jose Berrios was the starter for three consecutive seasons, and this season he is on the injury list with elbow inflammation, which isn't a good sign. 

With the 2026 season potentially being his last with the organization, giving him the nod is both a performance-driven and emblematic option as the team's ace.