Dylan Cease strikes out 12 in Blue Jays debut as Toronto rallies for walk-off finish

Dylan Cease is already dominating at his new home up north.

During his Blue Jays debut on Saturday, Cease fanned 12 batters across 5⅓ innings while giving up just one earned run in Toronto’s 8-7 walk-off home win over the Athletics.

Cease’s 12 strikeouts set a new record for most by a Blue Jays pitcher in their debut for the franchise, topping southpaw David Price’s 11 during his debut back in 2015.

Dylan Cease throws a pitch in the first inning of the Blue Jays’ 8-7, 11-inning win over the A’s on March 28, 2026 in Toronto. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 30 year old also struck out seven straight batters in one stretch during Saturday’s game, sitting down Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom to end the third inning before striking out the side in the fourth and fifth.

“That was a blast,” Cease told reporters following the game, according to MLB.com. “The minute I walked out, there was cheering and they were being extremely supportive. That was really cool. It’s just an electric atmosphere. I think that really does make a difference.”

Blue Jays skipper John Schneider said he was impressed with Cease’s debut outing, adding that he bested teammate Kevin Gausman’s 11 strikeout Opening Day performance.

“He one-upped Kevin [Gausman] in terms of strikeouts,” Schneider said.

Gausman said he believes that this year’s Blue Jays staff is the most powerful since he arrived in Toronto in 2022.

“I really love our pitching staff this year,” Gausman said. “I think it’s the best, stuff-wise, since I’ve been here, and we’ve had great pitching staffs since I’ve been here.

Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate a win, with several cheering around a teammate in the center. — Ernie Clement (22) is mobbed by teammates after driving in the game-winning run in the 11th inning during the Blue Jays’ 8-7 win over the A’s in Toronto on March 28, 2026. AP

“That’s what’s exciting for me. The swing-and-miss is probably more than we’ve ever had.”

Despite Cease’s performance, Toronto was trailing in the ninth inning before catcher Alejandro Kirk blasted a game-tying solo homer to send the game to extra innings.

Third baseman Ernie Clement was the hero for the Blue Jays with a game-winning single in the 11th inning, marking the team’s second straight walk-off to start the season.

“We’re battling. We’re fighting back. We’re picking guys up,” Clement said. “That’s what was special about last year’s team, and that’s what will be special about this team.

“We’re never out of it. We’re going to battle, and we’re going to get it done.”

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