For months, the Toronto Blue Jays have faced questions about why they added pitcher Dylan Cease as a high-pay free agent addition over the offseason. Those questions were swiftly answered when Cease recorded 12 strikeouts in his debut on Saturday.
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Cease joined the Blue Jays over the offseason on a $210 million deal. His standout performance on Saturday set a new team record for the most strikeouts in a pitcher’s Blue Jays debut.
He only allowed one run in just over five innings as Toronto secured an 8-7 victory over the Athletics.
“That was a blast,” Cease said after the win. “The minute I walked out, there was cheering and they were being extremely supportive. That was really cool. It’s just an electric atmosphere. I think that really does make a difference.”
Cease brings elite pitching speed that is rare for the Blue Jays, even in a historical context. If he’s already breaking records in his first game, the Blue Jays may have a future team legend on their hands.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
