Kevin Gausman named opening day starter

SARASOTA, Fla. - The anticipated became the stated this morning, with Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirming that Kevin Gausman will start on opening day.

Gausman, 26, takes the ball on April 3 against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards - and the assignment that normally goes to Chris Tillman, who's headed to the disabled list.

Tillman's streak of opening day starts ends at three. He was the first Orioles pitcher to start three consecutive openers since Mike Mussina in 1998-2000.

Gausman, who began last season on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis and 2015 in the bullpen, has allowed two earned runs (three total) in 10 innings in three Grapefruit League starts. He's walked two batters, struck out 13 and held opponents to a .167 average.

Most recently, Gausman pitched in a Triple-A game Friday afternoon at Twin Lakes Park to keep him on turn for the opener.

Gausman was 9-12 with a 3.61 ERA in 30 starts last season, his lack of run support keeping him below .500. He's 2-3 with a 4.40 ERA and 1.422 WHIP in 12 career games (seven starts) against the Blue Jays over 45 innings.

The Orioles scored one run or fewer in 12 of Gausman's 30 starts last season. He was 6-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 12 home games and 3-10 with a 4.32 ERA in 18 road games. He was 1-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 starts in the first half and 8-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 15 starts after the break, including a 2.45 ERA in six August games.

Gausman will oppose the Blue Jays' Marco Estrada, who was confirmed yesterday as their opening day starter.

The Orioles made Gausman the fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft out of LSU. He's the club's first first-round pick to start on opening day since Mussina in 2000.

Dylan Bundy will start the season's second game on April 5.