The Case for Everyone in the Blue Jays' Rotation To Start on Opening Day

When the Blue Jays welcome the Athletics to the Rogers Centre on March 27, there’s one man who deserves to throw the first pitch:  Kevin Gausman. For the last four years, Gausman has been the steady anchor of Toronto’s pitching staff. Since he joined the team on a five-year, $110 million deal, he has made 125 starts, plus another seven in the playoffs. He has been the picture of durability, consistency, and excellence. Yet, Gausman has never started for the Blue Jays on Opening Day.

In 2022, it was José Berríos. Alek Manoah received the honour in 2023. Then it was Berríos again the next two years.

Last September, Gausman made the best start of his career. He stayed hot into October, giving the Blue Jays 30.2 innings with a 2.93 ERA. If he hadn’t already earned the 2026 Opening Day start before his dominant showing down the stretch, he had certainly earned it when all was said and done.

In all likelihood, John Schneider will make the right choice and tab Gausman for the season opener. But just for fun, I decided to consider the cases for his other candidates.

Dylan Cease

Gausman was better than Dylan Cease last year. He’s been better than Cease over the last three years, the last five years, and throughout their respective careers. 

However, the realities of the aging curve tell us that Cease is more likely to be the better pitcher in 2026. Gausman turned 35 in January. Cease just turned 30 in December.

Every projection system at FanGraphs – ZiPS, Steamer, ATC, THE BAT, THE BAT X, and OOPSY – has higher expectations for Cease than Gausman.  

Cease is also Toronto’s shiny new toy. The righty signed the most expensive free agent contract in Blue Jays history this winter, kicking off a thrilling, high-spending offseason. He's the only pitcher other than Gausman with a realistic shot to win the Opening Day start.

Trey Yesavage

You have to admit, it would be fun. 

Trey Yesavage is the Blue Jays’ ace of the future. There’s no one the fanbase is more excited about right now. Has he “earned” the Opening Day start? No, probably not. But what a way it would be to continue his remarkable story. From Single A to the majors to the playoffs to Game 1 of the World Series to Opening Day starter in less than 365 days.

I can’t think of any better way to keep last year’s momentum alive than giving Yesavage the ball for the team’s first game back in the Rogers Centre since the World Series. 

Cody Ponce

Only one Blue Jays pitcher was an All-Star last year: Cody Ponce.

Only one Blue Jays pitcher won a Triple Crown last year: Cody Ponce.

Only one Blue Jays pitcher was an MVP last year: Cody Ponce.

Of course, all those achievements come with a caveat. Only one Blue Jays pitcher played in the KBO last year: Cody Ponce.

Still, his 2025 season was undeniably stellar. If Ponce had stayed in Korea, there’s no question he’d be starting on Opening Day. The Blue Jays could honour that by giving him the Opening Day start in Toronto instead.

José Berríos

Is there a good case for José Berríos to be the Opening Day starter? Of course not. It wasn’t so long ago that we were wondering if he’d make the rotation at all. 

Yet, Berríos beat Gausman for the Opening Day start in 2022, ‘24, and ‘25. So why not this year too? 

After all, Gausman was the better pitcher in 2021… but Berríos got the nod in ‘22. Gausman was the better pitcher in 2023…but Berríos got the nod in ‘24. Gausman was the better pitcher in 2024…but Berríos got the nod in ‘25.

So, as well as Gausman pitched in 2025, and as much as Berríos struggled down the stretch, history tells us we can’t rule out another José Berríos Opening Day start in 2026.

Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber

I’ve lumped Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber together because neither of them is actually going to be ready to pitch on Opening Day. The team has already confirmed that Bieber will begin the season on the injured list. Scherzer signed late, and there’s a good chance he’ll need extra time to ramp up – and the Jays have every incentive to give him as much time as he needs. 

Yet, if either one of them were healthy, their cases would be pretty clear. Scherzer may not be an ace anymore, but he’s a no-doubt future Hall of Famer who could be entering his final season. 

Bieber is Toronto’s other Cy Young winner. If he can get back to full strength, there’s a real possibility he proves himself to be this team’s best starting pitcher.

Eric Lauer

Everyone else gets hit by a bus.

Lazaro Estrada

Eric Lauer also gets hit by a bus.