Kevin Gausman Today, 2014.

[Can_of_corn]

It's frustrating that he gets behind so many hitters. The difference between him and Jimenez is that his stuff is good enough that he can pitch out of trouble.

This article has probably been posted somewhere I'm sure but it's a good reminder of the difference he can make if he works ahead.

"For me, that means I want to see an improvement in Gausman?s command before I expect his strikeouts and ERA to dramatically improve. And I believe that could easily happen. Gausman walked fewer than two and a half batters per nine at all three levels he pitched in 2013, and he was lauded for his command as a prospect. This season is more the anomaly than last, and I will be ready to jump back on the Gausman train next season if he starts to once again get ahead of hitters."

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/the-problem-with-kevin-gausman/

Yep, command of his fastball and improvement of his slider are what is keeping him from being a TOR guy.

I like his chances.

[Il BuonO]

Yep, command of his fastball and improvement of his slider are what is keeping him from being a TOR guy.

I like his chances.

So, do I. The slider needs improvement but he could also be smarter in how he uses it. Earlier in the season we played Boston and and he started Napoli off with one which was basically a get-me-over pitch. He threw it for a strike as Napoli watched it go by. I contend as a first pitch he needs to throw it more often because guys are looking for the FB and won't offer at a pitch even if it's an average one.

Getting ahead is key though. Whatever pitch he's throwing it must be for a strike. He has to learn to trust his stuff, as Palmer says.

[Redskins Rick]

Gausman was interviewed by WBAL Radio in the pregame show yesterday and had some interesting thoughts.

#1 - He said having Ubaldo and Wieters on the bench to talk to has been immensely helpful, as veterans they have both bent over backwards to help him.

#2 - of course, he went on to say the pitching coach and bullpen coach has also been helpful.

#3 - The key to his successful is having "fastball command".

[OFFNY]

o

KEVIN GAUSMAN O (vs. CUBS, 8/22)

IP:. 5

H:o 6 (2 Home Runs, 2 Doubles, 2 Singles)

R:O 3

BB: 0

SO: 7

Pitches: 101 (62 Strikes, 39 Balls)

2014 ERA: 3.81

PITCHES BY INNING

*****************

91 (61 Strikes, 31 Balls)

15 (91 Strikes, 61 Balls)

23 (14 Strikes, 91 Balls)

30 (19 Strikes, 11 Balls)

24 (14 Strikes, 10 Balls)

[25 Nuggets]

I have to say, that was an underwhelming performance by Gausman today. Not that bad, but he could have done better.

[Guest]

Not good today at all.

[bpilktree]

He was not as bad as people on game threads act. He missed on a 0-2 count for the first homer for sure and then left a hanger to Baez in which if he keeps it down he k's since he was swing from his heels.

[zxlkho]

I thought he was pretty good today actually. Just a few mistakes here and there. His fastball command was much better than his last few times out.

[MurphDogg]

Not bad, but not good either. In an AL park he probably at least starts the 6th.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Not bad, but not good either. In an AL park he probably at least starts the 6th.

Except he was at 101 pitches through 5. My rule of thumb is, if it takes you more than 100 pitches to get through 5, you've probably had a bad game.

[Reboulet'sStache]

Not bad, but not good either. In an AL park he probably at least starts the 6th.

It was pretty bad.

[LookitsPuck]

It was pretty bad.

Agreed. 5 IP against an anemic offense... constantly falling behind young hitters. Throwing his slider when it is awful... just a bad outing.

[Reboulet'sStache]

Gausman has just been surviving all of his starts lately. The last semi-impressive start he has had was the Yankees one before the All-Star break.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Agreed. 5 IP against an anemic offense... constantly falling behind young hitters. Throwing his slider when it is awful... just a bad outing.

So what do we do here? Never throw a slider or just occasionally throw one off the plate to try and convince hitters he actually has one.

[calmunderfire]

So what do we do here? Never throw a slider or just occasionally throw one off the plate to try and convince hitters he actually has one.

Maybe try a curve. I don't know. Maybe the extra movement can help. Whatever he's doing now with his slider is just not working.