Blue Jays' K atlanta braves jersey 4t evin Gausman takes his sizzling April into May: Four numbers to know about pitcher's hot start

The Blue Jays have been living up to matt olson atlanta braves jersey the hype at the start of the 2022 MLB season. After Sunday's win over the Astros, they're 15-8 and haven't lost a series yet. A big part of that success has been offseason acquisition Kevin Gausman, who has ridden a devastating spilt-finger fastball to early-season success.

While he has just three decisions on the year (2-1 record), the Blue Jays are 4-1 in games in which Gausman has started, and he has posted a 2.27 ERA.

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The 31-year-old right-hander signed for five years and $110 million as a free agent, aTrevor Story Red Sox Jerseysnd thus far he has lived up to the billing. His April was special in its own right, but now he's chasing more history.

Here are four numbers to know about Gausman's April and first day of May.

41

Gausman has 41 strikeouts after his 10-K performance Sunday, good for third in MLB behind the Rays' Shane McClanahan (42) and the Brewers' Corbin Burnes (43). Gausman's strikeout percentage is in the 87th percentile of MLB pitchers. 

His consistency has been his calling card: Heading into Sunday, four-seam fastb Marcus Semien Rangers Jerseys alls and split-finger fastballs comprised over 80 percent of his pitch selection. His splitter has been one of baseball's most dangerous pitches.

Gausman has been doing it with unique control and command. He has allowed zero walks and home runs in his 31 2/3 innings pitched. He keeps his split-finger down and in to right-handed batters and has rarely left it over the plate. Gausman is the first pitcher in MLB history to log 30-plus strikeouts, no walks and no home runs over the course of a month (although it's worth noting that the season began a week late because of the owners' lockout).

He is also the first pitcher since Cy Young in 1906 to not allow a home run or walk tCarlos Rodon Giants Jerseys hrough five starts in the World Series era (minimum 20 innings). Gausman is chasing Burnes' 2021 record of 58 strikeouts without a walk, although at this pace he's still two starts away from cha atlanta braves jersey nike small llenging it. Burnes has allowed seven walks this year.

20.5

The increase in Gausman's chase percentage from 2021 to 2022. With the Giants last season Gausman induced a chase percentage of 32.7; this year, he's at 53.2 percent. A large part of that is due to his splitter, which has a 10 mph difference fr atlanta braves majestic jersey om his fastbal atlanta braves gear near me l while looking exactly the same coming out of his hand.

Gausman is also in MLB's 100th percentile this year in chase rate. The splitter is the key, but it doesn't work without pinpoint control of his fastball.

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73.7

At least once a baseball broadcast, an announcer will talk about the importance of first-pitch strikes. Gausman is proof of that importance. This year, he has a first-strike percentage of 73.7, best in baseball ahead of Nathan Eovaldi. When working in 0-1 counts, Gausman's splitter becomes even moreMLB Kids Clothing deadly as batters have to protect.

That first-strike atlanMLB Batting Practice ta braves game issued jersey percentage also contributes to Gausman's high chase rate: If batters have to overcorrect, they're more liable to chase. When a pitcher's 1-2 punch is as deadly as Gausman's fastball-splitter combo, it becomes even more important for batters to be aggressive early in counts so they don't fall behind.

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