Marcus Stroman already providing boost to Blue Jays postseason hopes

It might be fair to say that Marcus Stroman has already been better than expected for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. The 24-year-old pitcher is exceeding expectations on the mound just six months after surgery to repair a torn ACL, and the Blue Jays are reaping the rewards.

On Wednesday night, Stroman had one of the best starts of his young career in leading the Blue Jays to a 4-0 win over the Yankees, taking the three-game series and extending their lead atop the AL East to 3.5 games with 10 to play.

After three September starts Stroman is now 3-0 and has only given up four earned runs in 19 innings while striking out 10 and walking four. And he’s almost unbeatable at the Rogers Centre:

Dating back to last season, Marcus Stroman has an ERA of just 0.82 (3ER/32.2IP) over his last 5 games at Rogers Centre.

— Blue Jays Stats (@Blue_JaysStats) September 24, 2015

Few could have predicted Stroman would be this good, this quickly. When Stroman first said he intended to pitch this season many scoffed. When he looked ready to return some suggested he be eased back and pitch out of the bullpen. When the Blue Jays gave him a spot start in the Bronx two weeks ago, the team and analysts hemmed and hawed about what his role should be or if he should remain in the rotation.

On Thursday morning, on a Toronto radio station, manager John Gibbons said even he is surprised at how well Stroman has pitched.

John Gibbons just told Blair and Barker on Stroman: “I’m surprised what he’s doing this year, considering the injury he’s coming off of.”

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) September 24, 2015

So now after three starts the major-league sophomore looks better than ever, and is a lock to be in the postseason rotation. How much he can continue to contribute on the biggest stage yet remains to be seen. Will he be fresh and just hitting his stride having pitcher only about 30 innings in the regular season? Or will the pressure and stress of the situation finally rattle him? Stroman is already a fan favorite in Toronto and will have huge expectations placed on him come postseason.

So far in his young career it doesn’t seem like anything can faze him. When Stroman isn’t mowing down batters on the mound, he’s a little ball of energy in the dugout and the team’s biggest cheerleader.

“Emotion is definitely a big part of my game. It’s something I feel like I’m able to direct in a positive way and into a positive energy, and use in the moment to really bear down and pitch better,” Stroman said. “I’m a very emotional person. I pitch with a huge chip on my shoulder, and I feel like every time out there I have to prove a lot of people wrong. I’m pretty determined and motivated.”

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Ian Denomme is an editor and writer for Yahoo Sports. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.