Aaron Civale Throws Gem In Season Debut Against The Mariners

Aaron Civale throws seven spectacular innings for the Cleveland Guardians as the beat the Seattle Mariners.

Aaron Civale, take a bow!

Every single pitcher in MLB wishes they could start this season as efficiently and dominant as the right-hander did on Saturday night against the Seattle Mariners. This start is even better considering the type of season that Civale went through last year.

Last season was a tough one for Civale being that he couldn't stay on the mound. He only made 20 starts and went to the IL four times with a variety of injuries. He looked like he was always trying to get his footing, and right when that happened, he went right back on the injured list.

This is nothing short then frustrating for a player who works so hard. 

Civale finished 2022 with a career-high 4.92 ERA in 93 innings pitched. Not at all what he was hoping for after three strong seasons before this.

But his first start of 2023 showed that the righty is ready to put all of that behind and be a stable presence in the back of the Guardians' fantastic rotation. 

Civale pitched an efficient seven innings against the Mariners doing what he does best, getting outs. He only had three strikeouts, but he also only gave up two hits and walked one batter. Weak contact and pop-ups allowed Civale to work quickly through Seattle's order.

What a season debut from Civale!#Guardians | #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/J1exE0mL0Y

— Cleveland Guardians On SI (@GuardiansOnSI) April 2, 2023

He only threw 80 pitches in those seven innings of work. If this wasn't his first start of the season then Civale would definitely have been left out there longer.

Terry Francona commented on well Civale pitched saying, "I thought he pitched his heart out!" There isn't any other way to sum it up. 

Most of the questions about this roster heading into the season had to do with the back of Cleveland's rotation and how they'd perform. Zach Plesac was widely inconsistent last season and Civale suffered from injuries.

A start such as this one from Civale will be incredibly important early on, especially with Triston McKenzie's injury that could keep him out for up to two months.

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Cover Photo Credit: © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports