Chris Bassitt

Bassitt didn't quite get through seven innings but looked very much like the workhorse who helped lead the Blue Jays' staff last season.

"Errors are going to happen, it’s part of the game,” John Schneider said. "You move on to tomorrow and hopefully just tighten it up.”

Bassitt reached 200 innings in a season for the first time in his career. “(Y)ou have to have so many people to trust you.”

Chris Bassitt delivered another gem and has a chance to reach the 200-inning threshold in his next start.

Bassitt still believes in the Blue Jays' chances: "(I)f we put it all together, I don't think there's a team better in the big leagues."

"You guys treated me like an All-Star long before becoming one,” he said. “And all that mattered was that I was one of your Blue Jays.”

The Blue Jays have their best record going into the All-Star break since 2016, but they feel like they can be even better down the stretch.

After Wednesday's game, Gausman and Bassitt sit tied for first in the American League with 82 innings pitched each.

"We'll just try to build momentum off it and got one more game against them tomorrow," said Danny Jansen.

As the Blue Jays embark on a stretch of 30 games in 31 days, Bassitt kicked it off as well as anyone could with a masterful performance.

"It just comes down to executing pitches, really, and they've been on such a roll," manager John Schneider said of the bullpen.

Bassitt exited following 6 1/3 innings, after holding the White Sox to two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

"I never had a game like this where six different pitches were getting hit hard," said the 34-year-old Bassitt.

Having more pitches to throw can bring many benefits, ones that impact the entire team in unexpected ways.

"Anytime we play them, you got to play your best to beat them," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Along with his arsenal, the Blue Jays were drawn to Chris Bassitt due to his competitive desire, work ethic and "max accountability."

The White Sox gave their largest-ever free-agent contract to Andrew Benintendi, who makes contact but probably won't provide a power boost.

The Blue Jays made a three-year, $63 million investment to secure a top four of Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, José Berríos and Chris Bassitt.