Toronto Blue Jays fans baffled as starting pitchers post combined 10.80 ERA through first four games of 2023: "Absolutely pathetic" "That’s not ideal"

The Toronto Blue Jays had high hopes for the 2023 season. It's not starting off well.

Through the first four games of the new campaign, the Blue Jays have a record of 1-3. Even more disturbing to Toronto fans, the starting pitching staff has a combined ERA of 10.80.

Only Kevin Gausman's six innings of eight-hit, no-run ball against the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend is keeping the Blue Jays starter's ERA from being even higher in the stratosphere. And his effort came in a loss.

The Toronto Blue Jays were one of the more fashionable non-Houston Astros preseason picks to represent the American League in the World Series. However, what looks good on paper doesn't always translate to what looks good on the field.

Other than Gausman, the first four Toronto starters – Alek Manoah, Chris Bassitt, and Jose Berrios – have done little more than toss gasoline on a campfire during their initial appearances this season.

Things didn't take long to go sideways for the Blue Jays starters, as Manoah – the staff ace – lasted just 3 1/3 innings on opening day against the Cardinals, allowing nine hits and five earned runs in what turned out to be Toronto's only win of the season through four games.

Even more troubling for the Blue Jays is Berrios, whose ERA blossomed to 5.23 last season and sits at 12.71 after one 2023 start.

Bassitt, who went 15-9 with a 3.42 ERA with the New York Mets in 2022, was nuked by the Cardinals in his first Toronto start on Sunday. Much like Manoah, he lasted just 3 1/3 innings, but gave up nine earned runs on 10 hits – including four home runs.

Toronto Blue Jays fans are putting all their faith in fifth starter Yusei Kikuchi to right the ship. Kicuchi, who started Tuesday night, lost his starting role last season, going 6-7 with a 5.19 ERA in 32 games with 20 starts. Though calling a pitcher with a 5.02 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over four major league seasons by the name of "YuCy Kikuchi" might be quite a stretch.

The season is not a week old yet. There's still plenty of time for the Blue Jays to get their act together. But the fanbase has plenty of concerns and would like to speak to the manager.

Toronto Blue Jays seeking World Series return

Alek Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays

It's been a generation since the Toronto Blue Jays last appeared in the World Series – winning back-to-back MLB championships in 1992 and 1993. Since then, the team has only made the playoffs four times – losing the American League Championship Series in both 2015 and 2016.