Toronto Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman struck out the side to open the season against the Athletics and went on to fan 11 hitters, setting a new franchise record on Opening Day.
The previous mark was nine and was jointly held by Esteban Loaiza and Hall of Famer Roy Halladay.
He went on to finish the outing surrendering one run on hit, with his only blemish being a solo homer by Shea Langeliers in the fourth inning.
Gausman was tabbed as the Opening Day starter for the first time since he joined the Blue Jays ahead of the 2022 season.
He previously made the first start of the season for Baltimore Orioles in 2017 and the San Francisco Giants in 2021.
The 35-year-old led the Blue Jays last season with a 3.59 ERA and 189 strikeouts while posting a 10-11 record.
The Centennial, Colorado native also made five postseason starts for the Blue Jays as they captured the American League pennant and lost the World Series in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gausman has been a consistent presence in the Blue Jays starting rotation since he signed a five-year, $110 million contract in December of 2021.
The two-time All-Star has started at least 30 games in all four seasons in Toronto, including taking the ball 32 times during the 2025 regular season.
Durability could be even more important for the defending American League Champions as they placed starters Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos on the injured list ahead of the season.
Berríos made the Opening Day start for the Blue Jays in 2025.
