Kevin Gausman would make his final start of the season Sunday as the Blue Jays put the finishing touches to their three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox.
When he next starts and where he starts remain very much up in the air.
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The team did err on the side of caution when Gausman was asked not to come out for the fourth inning after he cut the middle finger on his throwing hand.
For the record, the Jays won the game, 6-3, to win their 90th game of the season as they head to Baltimore for a season-ending three-game series against the Orioles.
The Jays will be in the wild-card series, but no one yet knows the identity of Toronto’s opposition or site of the best-of-three showdown.
As long as the Jays keep winning, they know they’ll be playing at home.
Toronto’s feel-good weekend was somewhat tempered with the Gausman development, but was quite adamant he will pitch at some point in the post-season.
“It’s something that has happened to me in the past,’’ began Gausman when he addressed the media. “It’s probably been about 25 starts since this (last) happened. I’ve been really good this year at managing it.
“For whatever reason, today the finger split. In a different situation, even if this was two weeks prior, I’m staying in that game. I just think with the post-season coming up I didn’t want to make it worse and possibly do something to not make it better for that next start.
“I thought it was the smart move. Unfortunate it happened, but we have such a good bullpen I feel good anytime we’re going to them, even if it’s in the third inning.”
Gausman’s grip on his trademark splitter often leads to blisters.
“I just think it’s a little dryer this time of the year,’’ continued Gausman. “Maybe that’s why it split. I don’t know why it happened. Now I have time to get it right for the next one.”
More laser treatment, which Gausman says he undergoes daily, will be intensified.
“I might have an extra (treatment), but I’m just really trying to get out in front of it.”
Gausman said he began dealing with the issue in the first inning.
“I was kind of monitoring it and brought it up to them (Jays) after the third and once they kind of looked at it the decision was to shut it down and look forward to getting it right for the post-season.”
Gausman made his first playoff start last fall.
By the sounds of it, he’ll make his first start for the Blue Jays at some point.
“We’re playing a real good brand of baseball and we just have to keep it going,’’ he said.
“It’s just an exciting time and really looking forward to going into Baltimore doing what we need to do and coming right back,’’ added Gausman.
Gausman plans to give his finger an extra day of rest.
Rather than pitching a side session on Day 3, he’ll pitch on Day 4.
The way Gausman explains it, the finger becomes an issue only when he throws his splitter.
“There are no problems with the other pitches,’’ he said. “It’s just the split and how the pitch comes off my finger. I want it to be my middle finger the last thing it’s touching. That’s just more pressure that goes on and it’s why I don’t throw my split in pens normally.
“That’s one thing in between starts I don’t have to worry about. I’m not going to irritate that thing more than it already has been.”
Interim manager John Schneider wasn’t concerned.
“He’s going to be fine,’’ he said. “He’s managed it before.”
CANADA MADE
Zach Pop earned the win, while Jordan Romano picked up the save, two Canadians as the Blue Jays witnessed history.
For the first time in club history, a Canadian was credited with the win, while a Canadian notched the save.
Pop improved to 4-0, while Romano recorded his 36th save.
“That’s pretty cool,’’ said Schneider of the Canadian baseball angle. “The fact we won 90 games in back-to-back years in this division is pretty cool.”
Pop also showed some slick glove work in fielding a back-handed liner hit up the middle.
“It was one of those plays where you kind of throw your glove out there,’’ said Schneider.
TEO ON FIRE
Teoscar Hernandez lifted two home runs to give him three in two days.
“Pitch selection is key for him,’’ said Schneider. “He’s pretty much locked in now. He’s a guy who can change the complexion of a game with one swing.
“He did it again today twice. His at-bats have been really good.”
Hernandez has dealt with a foot issue and an oblique.
“Everyone is tired right now, but I think he’s physically feeling good,’’ added Schneider. “For him, he’s been here for a few years. It’s pretty cool he’s heating up right now.”
QUICK PITCHES
Whit Merrifield came within a triple of hitting for the cycle. He was very good at second base and quite the force at the plate. “He’s exactly what we hoped for,’’ said Schneider of the veteran. Merrifield finished the game by going 3-for-4 with two RBI, his sixth game with at least three hits this season and has hit safely in 10 of his past 11 games … The Jays now go to Baltimore not knowing where they’ll be when the post-season begins. “It’s crazy,’’ said Schneider. “You have seven suitcases packed. We’re ready to deal with it, however it shakes out. We’re excited to be in this position and you just have to continue to pile up the wins and hopefully get back here.’’