The June swoon continues for Toronto’s ace Kevin Gausman, whose recent struggles epitomize the Blue Jays’ roller-coaster 2025 campaign. Under the unforgiving Arizona sun yesterday afternoon, Gausman’s disappointing performance prevented Toronto from completing what would have been a morale-boosting sweep against the surging Diamondbacks.
Gausman, who entered the season as the undisputed anchor of Toronto’s rotation, surrendered five earned runs over just 4⅓ innings, inflating his June ERA to a troubling 6.78. The contrast between his current form and his dominant April—when he posted a 2.13 ERA with 41 strikeouts—couldn’t be more stark.
“The splitter just isn’t splitting like it should,” admitted a visibly frustrated Gausman in the post-game press conference. “When my primary out pitch flattens out, major league hitters don’t miss it. It’s a mechanical issue we’re working through.”
Arizona’s lineup, particularly shortstop Geraldo Perdomo who went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, seemed to have Gausman’s timing figured out from the first inning. The Diamondbacks consistently made hard contact, forcing Toronto’s defense into difficult plays and exposing the gaps in the outfield.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider defended his starter, noting that even elite pitchers encounter rough patches. “Kevin’s process remains solid. His velocity is consistent with his career norms, and his arm slot hasn’t changed. Sometimes the results don’t match the underlying metrics.”
Indeed, advanced analytics suggest Gausman may be suffering from some bad luck. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) sits at 3.89 for June—significantly lower than his ERA—indicating that factors beyond his control might be contributing to his struggles.
The loss drops Toronto to 42-39, still within striking distance of the final Wild Card spot but continuing a frustrating pattern of inconsistency that has defined their season. After winning seven of their previous nine games, including the first two of this Arizona series, the Blue Jays appeared poised to build momentum heading into their critical upcoming homestand against division rivals.
On the offensive side, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his All-Star caliber season with two hits, including his 22nd home run of the year. However, the rest of Toronto’s lineup managed just four hits against Arizona’s Zac Gallen, who delivered seven innings of two-run baseball.
“We need to be more consistent top to bottom,” noted Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk. “When our pitching struggles, our offense needs to pick them up. Today we couldn’t generate enough against Gallen.”
For Toronto fans following this season’s journey on CO24 Culture, this game serves as another reminder of baseball’s unpredictable nature. The psychological component of pitching, explored frequently in our CO24 Trends section, remains one of sport’s most fascinating aspects—how quickly confidence can erode and return for even established veterans like Gausman.
The Blue Jays now return to Rogers Centre for a pivotal ten-game homestand that could define their season. With the trade deadline approaching at the end of July, management faces tough decisions about whether to bolster the roster for a playoff push or consider retooling for 2026.
As we’ve discussed in recent CO24 Opinions pieces, Toronto’s front office may need to determine whether this year’s inconsistency represents growing pains or fundamental flaws in the team’s construction.
For Gausman, the path forward is clear—work with pitching coach Pete Walker to rediscover the mechanical consistency that made him one of the American League’s elite starters. For the Blue Jays as a whole, the challenge remains finding the sustained excellence that has so far eluded them in this enigmatic 2025 campaign.
