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Although there have been glimpses of brilliance, Kevin Gausman's 2024 season is shaping up to be his worst in decades. A secret to nobody, the Jays pitcher is one of the first ones to admit that this season has been a struggle.
On August 2, Gausman made his 22nd start of the season in the Bronx against the Yankees. Despite allowing a pair of home runs, he logged 4.2 innings but was given a no-decision. After the game, Sportskeeda's Dan Connolly caught up with the 33 year-old to gain some insight on his struggles.
While Gausman attributed some early-season shoulder injuries for not performing at peak, the Colorado-born starter thinks there's an even more pertinent issue, explaining to Dan Connolly:
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"The biggest thing is being inconsistent with my fastball. The book is out on me. Hitters know I’m gonna throw a split, and I’m gonna throw it a lot. So, I’m finding out how teams are really trying to eliminate that and that has been an adjustment for me."
The Toronto Blue Jays ace blamed the degradation and inconsistency of his fastball as a primary reason why his 4.56 2024 ERA is more than a full run higher than his 2023 value.
According to PitcherList, Gausman's four-seamer averaged 96.5 MPH when he made his MLB debut in 2013. Between 2020 and 2023, his velocity averaged 95 MPH. However, since the start of 2024, Gausman's average fastball velocity has dipped to 93.8 MPH.
The effects have been easily identifiable. In addition to his ERA being much higher this year, Kevin Gausman has struck out just 8.6 batters per nine innings, compared to his AL-best 11.5 value last season.
In 2023, Kevin Gausman (237) led the AL in strikeouts. After Friday's start against the New York Yankees, his total for the 2024 campaign is 119.
"HOME RUN NO. 40 FOR AARON JUDGE" - Talkin' Yanks
Kevin Gausman is slowly making the adjustments he needs to
Between April 1 and July 1, Gausman pitched to a 4.88 ERA alongside a 6-7 record with 85 strikeouts in 16 games. Since July 1, he's 3-1 with a 4.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts in five games. The former All-Star told Connolly:
"I feel like I’m getting there, and I definitely have been better in the second half than I was the first. Last year was only last year. It’s all still in there. I know what I’m capable of. I’ve just got to go out there and compete and win as many games as I have left."
With more than two years remaining on his contract, Kevin Gausman didn't meet the fate of other Jays pitchers at the trade deadline. However, there can be no doubt that Gausman and his team likely want this season behind them soon.
