Blue Jays pitchers record 50 strikeouts to set MLB Opening Weekend record
Eric Himmelheber
The Toronto Blue Jays set an MLB Opening Weekend record after striking out 50 batters in their first three games of the season during their sweep of the Athletics.
The Athletics hit just .157 at the plate, recording four home runs, three of which came from Shea Langeliers, on 16 hits and left a total of 18 runners on base.
Toronto completed the sweep with a 5-2 win on Sunday. The record was broken after closer Jeff Hoffman struck out?Max Muncy to complete the sweep.
Langeliers is coming out of the series with a .500 batting average (6-for-12), recording at least one hit in each game. He now enters the team's series against the Atlanta Braves with three home runs and six RBI.?
Toronto's Andres Gimenez recorded the first walk-off hit of the 2026 season that ultimately gave them the 8-7 win in game two of the series.?
The Blue Jays also saw some dominant records. Ace pitcher Kevin Gausman set the franchise record for most strikeouts (11) during Opening Day. In the next game, newly signed Dylan Cease put up 12 strikeouts - the most ever by a starting pitcher in his debut with the Blue Jays.
Eric Lauer also dominated in his start, recording nine strikeouts through 5.1 innings.
Toronto now prepares for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (0-3), followed by three games against the Chicago White Sox (0-3), then takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers, their first meeting since losing to them in seven games during the World Series.
The Blue Jays are just one of two teams (New York Yankees) in the American League to have a 3-0 record coming out of Opening Weekend.
MentionsBaseballMLBShea LangeliersJeff HoffmanMax MuncyDylan CeaseKevin GausmanAndres GimenezEric LauerToronto Blue JaysAthleticsAmerican SportsGlobalEric Himmelheber
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