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Duke in the MLB: Marcus Stroman Returns in Emphatic Fashion

By Kevin Connelly

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 23: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 23: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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It was a rough beginning of the season for the most notable Duke in the MLB player, Marcus Stroman, but he responded in a big way after being reinstated from the Disabled List.

Marcus Stroman was putting up the worst numbers of his career in April and early May. The Toronto Blue Jays ace went 0-3 with an 8.88 ERA in April and followed that up with a 0-2 May with a 5.52 ERA.

Stroman was then placed on the disabled list with right shoulder fatigue on May 11.

After over a month sideline trying to get his command, velocity, and movement back on his pitchers, the former Duke star was back on the mound and was his ace-like self again.

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The Blue Jays were in Los Angeles taking on the Angels in a four-game series and after the dropping the first two games, the Blue Jays needed a big performance from Stroman to get them back on track and end their road woes.

Stroman stepped up and delivered for the Blue Jays tossing five innings of shutout baseball, scattering six hits, striking out five and only walking one.

After Stroman departed with a 1-0 lead after the fifth inning, the Angels tied the game in the eighth inning, not allowing Stroman to get the victory, however, the Blue Jays responded with three runs in the top of the ninth to give Toronto a 4-1 lead en route to the victory.

Sitting at 37-41, the Blue Jays are 15 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East standings and 10.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the second Wild Card spot.

If the Blue Jays want to make a run at a playoff spot, it will start with Marcus Stroman being the ace Toronto desperately needs showing his excellent leadership and taking the reigns of a questionable Blue Jays pitching staff.

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