Kevin Gausman was one of the biggest pieces moved at the 2026 trade deadline, with the long-time Toronto Blue Jays star being dealt to the Chicago Cubs after Toronto’s disappointing start to the 2026 season following their appearance in the 2025 World Series.
It just so happens that the two teams are playing a makeup game on Thursday, lining up with normal rest days for the veteran right-hander, with many around baseball hoping to see him face his former team just days after the deadline. However, his Cubs debut has now been pushed back to Friday, and after Ernie Clement revealed his relief at not having to face Gausman, the veteran star has done the same thing.
Kevin Gausman Glad to not be Facing the Blue Jays
GettyKevin Gausman of the Chicago Cubs.
It’s no secret that the players from the 2025 World Series Blue Jays squad were not only close with each other, but the city as a whole, with Gausman, Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman all expressing their love for the organization and the city of Toronto after being traded.
That love runs deep within the playing group as well, as there were plenty of emotions heading into the trade deadline as the Blue Jays front office broke up a group that had so much success in 2025. As a result, Gausman didn’t want to confront the challenge of starting against his former team so soon, and according to Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling, the veteran didn’t ask specifically not to start, but tried to encourage the Cubs coaching staff to not make him pitch on Thursday.
Gausman: “Honestly, thank goodness I’m not pitching against them. That would’ve been a lot.”
Clearly, Gausman wasn’t ready to do that, and when he addressed not having to pitch against his former team so soon, he admits that it would have been a lot emotionally.
“Honestly, thank goodness I’m not pitching against them. That would’ve been a lot,” Gausman said.
Chicago Cubs Land a Potential Playoff Superstar
Despite being in the same league as the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs pushed hard to land pieces that will help them in the post-season, and after Gausman posted a 2.93 ERA across 30.2 innings in the playoffs a year ago, they’ve clearly got someone that can lead their pitching staff.
While he didn’t want to face his former team, Gausman has expressed nothing but excitement as he joins the historic Cubs organization, as he believes this is a team that can make some noise in the post-season given the depth of their lineup and the new additions to the starting rotation.
Only time will tell if they can be a true threat to the Dodgers in the National League, but with Gausman, who will now make his debut on Friday instead, along with their loaded lineup and balance throughout the roster, hope is very high that this is a team that can make some noise down the stretch, with Gausman hoping to go one step further than he did in 2025 with the Blue Jays.
Cubs Kevin Gausman Reveals why he Won’t Pitch Against Toronto