How Trey Yesavage Dominated the Dodgers and Put the Blue Jays One Win from Glory 2025
How the Blue Jays Neared a World Series Title Thanks to Trey Yesavage.
Los Angeles Trey Yesavage was the target of verbal abuse just prior to Game 5 of the World Series. At Dodger Stadium, the 22-year-old rookie pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays was standing in right field in the visitors’ bullpen, surrounded by jeering Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Rather of being startled, he turned to face pitching coach Pete Walker, grinned, and stated, “This is fun,” with cool assurance. I adore this.
That mindset is the essence of Yesavage’s unlikely ascent and the Blue Jays’ amazing success. Only a few months earlier, in front of just 327 spectators, he made his first professional start for Single-A Dunedin in Jupiter, Florida, in April. With seven outstanding innings, no walks, and 12 strikeouts, he hushed 52,000 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night, helping Toronto win 6-1 and moving the team within one win of its first championship in more than 30 years.
With a stunning combination of splitters, sliders, and high-riding fastballs, Yesavage dominated a Dodgers lineup full of future Hall of Famers and fans eager to avoid elimination. With only feeble contact and a single home run from Kiké Hernández, the Dodgers swung and missed 23 times. The Blue Jays now have a chance to win their first championship since 1993 on Halloween night, therefore it seemed appropriate that he cut them up like a Halloween pumpkin.
Yesavage, who was selected with the 20th overall choice last year, advanced quickly through all levels, including Single-A, High-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and the major leagues. People who have met him know why. Yes, his belongings are dirty, but what really sticks out is his unwavering attitude—a small-town youngster who views the huge metropolis as simply another obstacle. He is self-assured without being arrogant.
Veteran pitchers Chris Bassitt and Shane Bieber sat together in amazement after Game 5 as teammates celebrated home runs from Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Even though they have only known Yesavage for six weeks, their respect for him has grown with each appearance, from his first shutout of Tampa Bay to his postseason performance against the Yankees, in which he had 11 strikeouts in five and a half no-hit innings.
“What blows me away is how he handled Game 5 mentally, like it was just another day,” Bassitt remarked. “This was the World Series, but you couldn’t tell.” He is just composed and has total faith in himself.
Bieber concurred. It’s complete conviction, not ignorance that makes you happy. He has faith in himself, his strategy, and his belongings. He can tell when he has it by looking into his eyes.
“When his splitter is working, he knows the other team has no shot,” Bassitt continued, grinning. No one has yet to figure it out. Hold on tight, because trouble is on the way once it begins to click.
And the Dodgers did run into problems. Yesavage found it difficult to control that splitter in Game 1. However, he was able to find the ideal grip on Tuesday following a quick bullpen session and some catch play modifications. He was locked in by Wednesday morning, albeit in his usual relaxed manner.
How Trey Yesavage Dominated the Dodgers and Put the Blue Jays One Win from Glory 2025
At 8:30 a.m., he got up, called his girlfriend, had a sausage and egg sandwich with his family, showered, unwinded on the hotel balcony, and went to the park in preparation for work.
He struck out more hitters than any other rookie in a World Series start that night, making history.
He later chuckled, “I saw someone post a video saying I looked locked in.” But all I was doing was scouring Instagram and TikTok for bad news. I make an effort to remain calm. I just show up and perform my work; I don’t overthink it.
With that effortless assurance, Yesavage defeated Blake Snell, the two-time Cy Young champion. He was in total control following a clean first inning and a commanding second inning in which he struck out the side. His splitter and slider swam away from frantic swings, and his fastball burst high in the zone. Max Scherzer understood his ability to pursue strikeouts like prey right away.
“I asked if he would go back out just to get through it when they pulled him after 78 pitches in that Yankees game,” Scherzer said. “No—I’m trying to strike everyone out,” he informed me. I really understand the sensation. You begin to smell it—the feeling that “I’m going to get you.”
Yesavage had incredibly keen instincts on Wednesday. Will Smith, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman were among the Dodgers starters he struck out twice apiece. Taylor Frick, his girlfriend, emailed him pictures of herself in the stands, shedding joyful tears. Scherzer, meanwhile, threw sunflower seeds at the dugout wall to celebrate a double play. It was genuine, earned, and infectious.
But Yesavage maintained his composure. It’s easy to forget how new everything is to him at times. Bieber recently made a joke about getting him some expensive liquor to fully welcome him to the major leagues.
“You like tequila?” he inquired.
“I’m twenty-two,” Yesavage answered.
Bieber chuckled. “You were only in college, right?”
Yesavage did pitch at East Carolina University not too long ago; he did so in huge games, but nothing like this. Additionally, heckling is a well-known trait of Dodgers supporters, particularly in that right-field bullpen. After defeating them in Game 1, Yesavage received the whole treatment once more.
Bassitt continued, “I would try to rattle him too if I were a Dodgers fan.” He is only 22 years old and has barely pitched on the road in this World Series. I would be trash-talking. They don’t know, though, that he doesn’t appear to mind it. His words, “Wait till I’m on the mound,” I’ll give an example.
And he did. With the burden of a country bearing down on him, Trey Yesavage transformed his pregame remarks into a prophecy over 104 pitches.
He had every reason to enjoy it, and it was a lot of fun.
