In baseball, it’s unusual for a manager to pull a pitcher who has thrown fewer than 70 pitches, as they often have the stamina to complete the game or at least go deeper. However, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider made the calculated decision to replace Kevin Gausman in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.
After pitching 5.2 innings, Gausman was substituted, as the dynamics shifted for the Blue Jays before he left the field. Leading 1-0 in his last innings pitched, Gausman was taken out, as Toronto saw their advantage evaporate when Cal Raleigh hit a crucial home run to revive the Mariners‘ hopes.
Addressing the media, Schneider discussed his decision-making process during the pivotal moment. “I was trying to read the situation. Every game is different, and I thought b