After thorough research and what he felt was in-depth handicapping of the teams pursuing him in free agency in 2021, Kevin Gausman settled with the Blue Jays for a number of reasons.

The five-year, $110-million US contract was salivating enough, as was his appreciation of the city. But repeatedly the veteran right hander has talked about his desire to win a World Series here.

On a brilliant late summer afternoon at the Rogers Centre on Thursday, Gausman pitched like a man fully intending to be the lead guy on the mound in helping his team get there.

In fact, he pulled off a rarity in the modern Jays era, getting the green light to pitch into the ninth and finish off a complete-game shutout as the Jays blanked the Houston Astros, 6-0 in the rubber match of a three-game series.

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