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Blue Jays Sweep A's, Set MLB Opening-Series Strikeout Records

The record strikeout gap highlights a pitching-first profile with hitters who rarely whiff.

Overview

  • The 5-2 finale Sunday in Toronto completed a three-game sweep of Oakland following walk-off wins in the first two games.
  • Toronto pitchers struck out 50 Athletics in the series, which ESPN identified as the MLB record for a team's first three games.
  • The Blue Jays posted a +33 strikeout differential (50 by their pitchers, 17 by their hitters), the largest ever for any series of three games or fewer, according to ESPN's Paul Hembekides.
  • Kevin Gausman fanned 11 on Opening Day, Dylan Cease struck out 12 in his Blue Jays debut, Eric Lauer had nine Sunday, and reliever Jeff Hoffman added six.
  • The 50 strikeouts also tied the franchise's most in any series, a mark first set over four games in 2019, as noted by ESPN.