GDB 4.0: Kevin Gausman returns as Toronto Blue Jays close out series with Rays

From good, to bad, to worst.

It’s been a tumultuous first three games of the season for the Jays. After opening up strong on opening day with an 8-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, they fell 8-2 on Friday and 5-1 yesterday afternoon. It’s not exactly the start they were hoping for, but hey, there are still 159 games to play this season.

Much ink could be spilled over what went wrong the last two days: the pitching hasn’t been perfect, the bats have gone a bit cold, and… well, there’s been some shaky play in the field. But hey! 159 games to go.

The best news of it all, however, is that Kevin Gausman returns to the mound as the Blue Jays look for the series split. He was dealing with a shoulder ailment that limited him in Spring Training to just one start, coming on March 25th against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Throwing three innings, Gausman struck out seven of 12 batters, while allowing just one earned run. Yeah, he looked good.

The intensity has ramped up and he’s likely to be on a pitch count throwing just 52 in that game against the Pirates, but the fact he isn’t missing the first trip through the rotation is huge for the Jays.

First pitch: 1:40 p.m. EST. TV & Radio: Sportsnet.

Weather: N/A.

Moneyline: TOR -118; TBR +100.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +112; TBR +15 -139.
Over/Under: o7.5 -128; u7.5 -105.

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Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.