For a rookie barely 22 years previous, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage has had a big position in a number of massive main league video games after beginning the 2025 season within the Florida State League.
The largest one but comes Wednesday night time at Dodger Stadium in Sport 5 of the World Sequence, which has develop into a best-of-three set to find out Main League Baseball’s subsequent champion.
Toronto’s 6-2 victory Tuesday night time in opposition to two-way star Shohei Ohtani, within the wake of a mentally and bodily taxing 18-inning loss the night time earlier than, evened up the Sequence. Yesavage now can assist the Jays get a leg up earlier than occasions return to Canada.
Yesavage’s subsequent scheduled begin will probably be his eighth profession look, common season and postseason mixed. It will likely be his fifth look in these playoffs and his second look within the World Sequence, after additionally being the starter in Sport 1.
That does not rely Yesavage’s attendance within the 18-inning marathon in Sport 3 on Monday, the place he watched teammate Shane Bieber head to the customer’s bullpen, and questioned if he would do the identical — simply in case the Jays wanted him to pitch an inning or donate a pint of blood. Neither pitcher wanted to strenuously put together so as to pitch forward of schedule, with Bieber taking his common flip Tuesday to assist ship a Sequence-tying victory.
In a pregame media session earlier than the Blue Jays bought even, Yesavage mentioned the time has come to be prepared for something.
“Once I noticed Shane go down there,” Yesavage instructed reporters, “I used to be, like, something’s attainable at this level.”
Seeing two actually good groups go at it for seven hours, it is simply actually superior to be part of that. I by no means would have anticipated that I might be in that scenario, however simply being part of this staff and having the ability to simply be in that dogfight with them, even with out enjoying.”
Yesavage’s tasks develop considerably now, as a result of the staff that wins Sport 5 additionally has received the Sequence 69 p.c of the time traditionally. If nothing extra, he is pitching for an opportunity to take a 3-2 lead again to the Rogers Centre for a home-field benefit in Sport 6 and probably 7.
The task carries comparable weight to different appearances Yesavage has made within the playoffs, notably in opposition to the Seattle Mariners in Sport 6 of the American League Championship Sequence on Oct. 19. That one was both win or be eradicated.
“I’ve pitched with our again in opposition to the wall already, so I’ve skilled it,” Yesavage mentioned. “I am able to pitch with our again in opposition to the wall, or I am able to pitch to ship this factor to Toronto.”
The Jays have received three of his 4 postseason begins to this point, and Yesavage has posted a 4.26 ERA with 27 strikeouts, 10 walks and 14 hits allowed in 19 innings. His greatest postseason outing stays his first — an 11-strikeout efficiency in opposition to the New York Yankees within the AL Division Sequence on Oct. 5.
He would not need to equal that one to offer the Jays what they want in Sport 5, however a mixture of low runs allowed and 5-plus innings of labor from their starter would put Toronto in an ideal place once more.
Yesavage understands what’s being requested of him.
“It is large,” he mentioned. “Being a rookie that is 22 years previous and having that weight put in your shoulders, it is a massive deal. However everybody on this clubhouse has my again.”
The Jays lineup faces left-hander Blake Snell, whom additionally they noticed in Sport 1, when he allowed 5 runs, eight hits and three walks in 5 innings. Jays supervisor John Schneider will not make sure till near recreation time if slugger George Springer will probably be within the lineup.
He injured his facet on a swing in Sport 3, exiting early and never returning in Sport 4. The Jays didn’t want him to push 4 runs throughout in opposition to Ohtani, plus two extra in opposition to L.A.’s bullpen.
Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a stroll and two strikeouts in Sport 4 after going 4-for-4 with two house runs and 5 walks within the 18-inning recreation.
