Gausman (1-0) tossed six innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three in Thursday's victory over Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman's quality start pushed him to his first victory in nine career appearances at the Rogers Centre. The right-hander did an excellent job eliminate the home-run happy environment by recording 11 of his 18 outs on the ground, including one double play. Thursday's performance was far and away Gausman's best in three starts this season, although he continued to post frustrating K:BB marks. Through 16 innings, the 26-year-old has 11 strikeouts and 9 nine walks. He'll look to capture back-to-back wins when he takes the hill in Cincinnati for his next start on Wednesday.

Gausman tossed 4.2 innings, surrendering four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four Yankees in a no-decision Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Filling in for Chris Tillman (shoulder) as the team's ace hasn't gone well through two outings for Gausman. The right-hander has allowed 13 hits while posting an 8:7 K:BB through 10 innings so far. He looked uncomfortable to say the least, falling behind hitters (he only threw 12 first-pitch strikes over 24 batters Saturday) and even being called for a balk against the Yankees. Gausman will get the ball again Thursday in Toronto for his next start.

Gausman allowed two runs on five hits and four walks across 5.1 innings Monday against the Blue Jays. He struck out four en route to a no-decision.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman was erratic at times, throwing just 55 percent of his pitches for strikes, but he did not allow an extra-base hit which helped mitigate the effect of the free passes he issued. Walks were not a significant issue for Gausman in 2016, as he posted a 2.4 BB/9, and some of his struggles can be attributed to early-season jitters. He can take some positives from this outing into Sunday's matchup with the Yankees.

Gausman has worked to separate his slider and curveball so that he can throw both this season, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander used a curveball as his primary offspeed pitch in 2015, but it unintentionally morphed into more of a slider last year. When Gausman takes the mound on Opening Day, he'll have both pitches in his repertoire after spending the winter refining the delivery of each weapon. "This offseason, I started messing with throwing a slider and getting back to the way I threw it in college and being really aggressive with it," Gausman said. "So I've been working on that, and I think the curveball is going to be a good pitch." Coming off a career campaign in which he posted a 3.61 ERA while managing an 8.72 K/9, the 26-year-old has widely been considered a breakout candidate during the 2017 draft season. With an expanded arsenal at his disposal, Gausman appears ready to fulfill the high expectations.

Gausman will be the Orioles' Opening Day starter, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Gausman will take the hill on April 3 when the Orioles play host the Blue Jays. It will be the first career Opening Day start for Gausman, who started 30 games last season and posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 179.2 innings. Dylan Bundy will follow Gausman in the rotation and toe the rubber for Game 2 of the regular season.

Gausman tossed three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out three in Monday's exhibition game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman tested out his full arsenal while throwing a spring-high 65 pitches. "It seemed like I went to a full count with just about everyone today," Gausman said. The right-hander add that he wasn't enthused with his overall performance, "Any time you throw that many pitches in three innings, you're not going to be happy." Gausman has started three preseason games -- including a WBC-warmup contest against the Dominican Republic -- and has posted solid marks overall. Through eight total innings, the 26-year-old has surrendered two earned runs on four hits and two walks while tallying six punchouts. With Chris Tillman (shoulder) on the mend, Gausman is in line to make his first career Opening Day start on April 3 at home against the Blue Jays.

Gausman dominated the Dominican Republic team Tuesday, tossing three scoreless innings and not allowing a hit while walking one and striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman was near perfect against the WBC-bound Dominican Republic team that boasts 25 MLB All-Star appearances among its players. The top of the visiting team's lineup read like a who's who of the game's brightest stars. Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, Gausman's own teammate Manny Machado, and Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano occupied the first three spots. The next three featured sluggers Jose Bautista, Carlos Santana, and Nelson Cruz -- who he struck out with a 96 mph fastball. Gausman is ascending into a top-flight pitcher and is expected to start for the O's on Opening Day (pending the health of Chris Tillman). Although Tuesday's game doesn't count toward Grapefruit League stats, Gausman has now fired a total of five innings while allowing just one hit over two spring games.

Gausman is the favorite to start Opening Day with Chris Tillman ruled out, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Chris Tillman ruled out for Opening Day with shoulder issues, Gausman has emerged as the frontrunner to takeover the job. The 26-year-old posted a 3.61 ERA with a 174:47 K:BB ratio across 179.2 innings (30 starts) with the Orioles last season.

Gausman and the Orioles agreed Sunday to a one-year, $3.45 million contract to avoid arbitration, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Gausman now under contract for 2017, he'll look to potentially make the move from mid-rotation cog to staff ace following an impressive 2016 campaign. The former top prospect was able to avoid the injuries and ever-changing roles that had stagnated his development in previous seasons, submitting a 3.61 ERA and 8.72 K/9 rate while making 30 starts for the big club. A full-on breakout hasn't materialized yet, but the 26-year-old's upside makes him a quality target in fantasy drafts.

Gausman, who is notorious for first-half struggles, began his offseason throwing program earlier than he has in previous years, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gausman's ERA prior to last season's Midsummer Classic was more than a full run higher than his second-half number. After enduring a frustrating first half, he exploded into the discussion of the league's top young pitchers, posting a 3.10 ERA post All-Star break to end the year with a 3.61 mark. "I've always finished strong. So, for me, now it's kind of figuring out why that is," Gausman said.