Triston McKenzie has been around the block for a few seasons, so he knows the deal. As a Guardians pitcher either you’re near-perfect or you lose. So today, with a pitch count and in his first start of the season, he went out there and was nearly perfect.
Making his MLB debut in 90-degree weather, McKenzie leaned heavily on his four-seamer (49 times), also but mixed in a few curveballs (16) and sliders (14). The big break you have come to know and love from his breaking balls was there, although the velocity on his four-seamer was lacking.