Twitter reacts to Marcus Stroman's WBC gem

It’s hard to think of a better way to get ready for a long, grueling season than to pitch an absolute gem with the world watching.

Toronto Blue Jays’ pitcher Marcus Stroman did just that in his start for the United States at the World Baseball Classic vs the Dominican Republic on Saturday – and Twitter noticed.

The 25-year-old right-hander pitched 4.2 masterful innings while allowing just three hits to a powerful Dominican Republic lineup in front of a sellout crowd of 37,446 at Marlins Park – the majority of whom appeared to be cheering for the Dominicans.

Stroman has made a habit of coming up big in huge games, and Saturday was no different as he left in the fifth inning with the Americans up 3-0 on the defending champs.

Before that, Stroman faced his Blue Jays teammate Jose Bautista, and the two shared a moment before the right-hander induced a foul out from the powerful slugger.

Stroman struck out Bautista looking in the fourth as well, winning bragging rights for the night.