3 Takeaways From Blue Jays' 3-0 Shutout Win Over Braves

Chris Bassitt pitched the Blue Jays' first nine-inning complete game shutout since 2015 in a 3-0 win over the Braves.

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

After two perfectly placed sliders, George Springer caught a mistake.

Braves starter Spencer Strider misses his spot with a fastball to Toronto's leadoff man, and the veteran didn't miss. Springer laced a single through the left-infield hole, pushing Whit Merrifield around for Toronto's opening run.

The Jays added two more scores, but that first run would've been more than enough as Chris Bassitt twirled a complete game shutout to hand Toronto the win. Here are three takeaways from the Blue Jays' 3-0 win over the Braves:

Bassitt Twirls Complete Game Shutout

The 35,000 Rogers Centre crowd surged with excitement. They were witnessing something special. The crowd popped in a collective cheer as Bassitt earned his final swing-and-miss of the night, striking out Sean Murphy to secure the complete game shutout.

With his nine scoreless innings, Bassitt became the first Blue Jays starter to pitch a complete game shutout since Mark Buehrle in 2015, and the first to even pitch nine innings since March Stroman in ’17.

Bassitt was in control nearly all night, locating his endless repertoire to flummox Atlanta's strong lineup. He had the curveball on the corner, the sinker to both sides of the plate, and every other pitch in his kitchen-sink repertoire working.

The veteran righty earned 19 whiffs across his nine innings of work, with a bases-loaded stumble in the fifth as his only hiccup. Manager John Schneider came out to check on Bassitt with Atlanta's lineup turning over in the eighth, but the righty was set on staying in the game.

"If he took me out at 90 pitches there, we would've had an issue on the mound," Bassitt laughed. "I knew he didn't point (to the bullpen), so I was like all right, come ask me the question. Then I'm gonna stay in and do it, here we go."

Chris Bassitt. Shutout. 🍾 pic.twitter.com/H3rdus4jKl

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 13, 2023

Complete games are declining across the league and Schneider credits the increasing strength of bullpens and investment in analytics. The Jays had closer Jordan Romano up in the ninth inning, but they didn't need him. Bassitt made quick work of his final three batters—grounder, strikeout, strikeout—to seal the complete game.

"A lot of it is understanding the person, watching what they're doing, and saying 'is there a better version of a pitcher in the bullpen?' Schneider said. "A lot of times it's yes, and tonight it wasn't."

Strider Makes It A Pitcher's Duel

Friday's first few innings were a speed-walking contest. Who could get back to the dugout faster, Bassitt or Strider?

The pair of starters traded dueling donuts for the first four frames. They combined for 12 strikeouts in the first four innings, with a Kevin Kiermaier single representing the only hit of the contest at that point.

In the game's opening at-bat, Springer waived helplessly over a Strider slider away, his barrel falling feet from the breaking pitch as it careened past the strike zone. The swing-and-miss set a tone for the contest, as Bassitt and Strider combined for 52 whiffs over their 15.2 innings of work.

One guy throws 98 MPH and two pitches, the other has a 67 MPH curveball and eight different deliveries. The two opposing styles combined for a good ol' fashioned pitcher's duel... and Bassitt won.

"It just shows you that there's really not one way that works," Springer said. "Bassitt tonight was incredible, Strider was electric. It was just two really, really good staffs and it's just incredible to watch"

Home Cookin'

With two lengthy road trips in the first six weeks of the season, the Jays have played the fewest home games in baseball. The Jays are under .500 on the road early this season, but they've made up for it at home with a 10-3 Rogers Centre record in 2023.

Friday’s win kicked off a 10-game home stand where the Jays will welcome the Braves, Yankees, and Orioles. The lengthy Toronto stay comes off a trip where Toronto lost six of nine games.

“Wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here,” Schneider said before Friday's game. “So hopefully it kind of reenergizes the guys a little bit after a crappy road trip.”