Toronto Blue Jays Pitchers Kevin Gausman and Jordan Romano in Line for Honours

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As the second half of the MLB season kicks off in a few days, Bastl and “Gibby” take a gander at the leading candidates for some pitching honours once the regular season winds down.

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Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman in the Hunt for AL Cy Young 

David Bastl starts off by listing the top three most likely candidates to take away the American League Cy Young this year, as per current betting odds. Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros leads the way (+186), followed closely by New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (+348). Comfortably in third the Toronto Blue Jays’ very own Kevin Gausman, who pays out +353 at the time the episode was recorded.

John Gibbons shares his thoughts.

“Gausman is obviously leading the league in strikeouts. Cole and Valdez are striking out a guy per inning, so it’s not like their sitting down there low. It’s probably going to come down to ERA average and Valdez has a decent lead on that.”

At the time of writing Astros ace Valdez’s ERA is a smoking 2.51. Tampa Bay Ray Shane McClanahan isn’t far off at 2.53. The latter is fourth in betting odds at +742. Gibbons believes that when all is said and done, Framber Valdez will most likely take home the trophy.

Blue Jays’ Jordan Romano in Saves Race

Finally, Bastle and “Gibby” chat about the tight race for the highest number of saves in Major League Baseball. So much time is spent discussing starting pitchers yet those who close out the games, preserving the win, are practically as essential to a ball club’s success.

To that effect, Toronto’s Jordan Romano (26 saves) is in a three-player battle with Cincinnati Reds’ Alexis Diaz and San Francisco Giant Camilo Doval. Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase is close behind with 25 of his own.

John Gibbons offers his sentiments and analysis.

“I hope Jordan Romano wins in. I think it’s going to come down to him and Diaz. The thing with the Guardians is that they’re a .500 team. I think there aren’t going to be enough save situations for Clase to jump to the lead. The Giants are basically a .500 team.”

As to why specifically “Gibby” thinks Romano has a better chance:

“I think the Blue Jays are going to win a lot of games in the second half. There are going to be some closer games and Jordan wins them. Because the Reds may end up just blowing out a bunch of teams.”