Can Gausman Handle the Pressure?

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Gausman will not be one of the starters for the Orioles come next week when the 2014 Postseason begins. He will make his way to the bullpen and be a middle reliever for the team.

In 19 games started this season, Gausman pitched 108 1/3 innings with a 7-7 record. He also posted a 3.57 ERA with 83 strikeouts.

Tonight being Derek Jeter’s last game, every pitcher wanted to be in the game. Buck Showalter gave Gausman the nod for starting however. There is always a reason to Showalter’s madness. I believe Showalter wanted to give Gausman a chance to pitch in a nationally televised game to give him some experience for what the Postseason will be like.

Unfortunately, the Orioles’ starter was rattled early. After giving up a lead-off single in the first inning, Gausman was met with the “Derek Jeter” chants as Jeter stepped into the batter’s box.

Getting behind in the count, 3-1, Jeter connected on a pitch that went into left center field and almost cleared the wall for a home run. The score at 2-1 in favor of Baltimore, Gausman continued to have no control of his pitches with pitch thrown in the dirt that allowed Jeter to advance to third base. Another single tied the score up a 2-a-piece. Gausman would finally record the third out of the inning after throwing 35 pitches.

After the first inning, Gausman did end up settling down and in the next four innings pitched he did not give up a base hit and struck out four batters. Gausman did only pitch five innings with 97 pitches thrown. It was nice to see Gausman fight through and have a good day on the mound.

It was even nicer to see Jeter walk off in his final home game as a Yankee, despite the Orioles losing.