Nine thoughts on the 2024-25 Maple Leafs: Why it could work this season
After last season’s playoff elimination, Justin Bourne wasn’t sure he could keep believing this core of Leafs could breakthrough. But, after looking at everything with fresh eyes, there’s reason to believe again.
TORONTO – The sixth inning of Wednesday’s game was emblematic of Kevin Gausman’s season. He bent but he didn’t break. It was a grind, but he got through it.
With the Toronto Blue Jays holding a four-run lead, the Boston Red Sox opened the frame with a double, walk and a single. One run had scored and there were still none out, with the visiting club looking to further cut into the Blue Jays’ lead.
Gausman had been cruising to this point in the contest and when he encountered the rough waters, he didn’t waver. Facing the dangerous Tyler O’Neill, he induced a double play that was the result of a smart play by second baseman Leo Jimenez. A fielder’s choice and a walk later, the bases were loaded for Nick Sogard and the Blue Jays right-hander needed to dial in.
He got ahead of the switch-hitter with fastballs on the outside part of the plate before busting him inside with a four-seamer that resulted in a fly ball to right field that ended the threat.
All told, Gausman expended 28 pitches against seven batters in the inning. However, most importantly, he allowed just one run.
It was the final frame of the right-hander’s trying season, and his contributions on the night were key in helping the Blue Jays to a 6-1 win over the Red Sox in front of 27,694 at Rogers Centre. Catcher Alejandro Kirk drove in three runs and extended his career-best hitting streak to 17 games, while rookie Jonatan Clase collected three hits, including his first major-league home run.
Gausman’s 2024 campaign was a battle from the very start. He was sidelined for most of spring training with right shoulder fatigue and instead of going on the injured list, the right-hander began the season at the back end of the rotation and used his first few starts to build himself up.
The result was a first half in which Gausman struggled to find a rhythm. He settled down considerably after the all-star break, but his strikeout numbers have been down from his career norm, with the right-hander remarking on several occasions that his trademark splitter just hasn’t been where he needs it to be.
While all of that may seem to paint a negative picture, Gausman’s campaign is anything but. The right-hander deserves credit for grinding and taking the ball each pass through the rotation. He ends the campaign with a 3.83 ERA over 181 innings.
Perhaps the most telling number, though, is that he made 31 starts in 2024, marking his third straight season with that number.
Clase, meanwhile, provided a spark for the Blue Jays from the leadoff spot. Manager John Schneider remarked before the game that he inserted the outfielder, who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in the Yimi Garcia trade, atop the lineup because he wanted to see more at-bats from the Clase.
The 22-year-old is known for his impressive speed — he ranks in the 99th percentile in MLB —but he didn’t get a chance to show that element to his game. Instead, he displayed patience and a steady bat while collecting a walk, two singles and a home run.
His two-run blast came in the seventh inning off Red Sox right-hander Josh Winckowski. Clase fell behind 0-2 before working the count full and launching an inside cutter into the right-field stands before celebrating on his trot around the bases.
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