Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage speaks during a press conference on Thursday in Toronto.David J. Phillip/The Associated Press
Many have called this World Series a David-versus-Goliath matchup: the reigning world champion Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Toronto Blue Jays, a club that hasn’t been to baseball’s biggest series since 1993.
As the Dodgers touch down in Toronto, looking to run it back, the Blue Jays will tap rookie Trey Yesavage to start Game 1 on Friday night at the Rogers Centre. Jays manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker gave him the news Wednesday.
“Called me into his office, said they had faith in me to run me out there in the first game, and I was fired up,” said Yesavage before a packed press conference at World Series media day on Thursday. “Got up, hugged him, hugged Pete. I was very excited.”
It’s the next incredible chapter in the remarkable season for the 22-year-old who worked his way up through all the clubs in the Blue Jays minor league system this year before being called up to the big league club just last month. Staff from all of those places who had a hand in his success have flooded his inbox.
“I’ve got guys from Dunedin to Vancouver, New Hampshire, Buffalo that are in my text texting me, congratulating me,” said Yesavage. “It’s just a testament [to] how together this whole entire organization is.”
Yesavage has pitched a total of 15 innings for the Jays over three playoff games this October. He’s 2-1 with an ERA of 4.20.
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Trey Yesavage reacts after an inning-ending double play during the fourth inning in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto on Oct. 19.David J. Phillip/The Associated Press
The rookie right-hander with the distinctive over-the-top release has pitched only in home games during this postseason, last appearing in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series when Toronto beat Seattle 6-2 to tie up the series. He had seven strikeouts over 5⅔ innings in that game and allowed six hits and two runs.
The young pitcher, whose popularity has exploded throughout this postseason, left to a standing ovation in each appearance.
Kevin Gausman started Game 1 of both the ALDS and ALCS for the Jays, while Yesavage was the Game 2 starter in both of those series. Both started twice in the ALCS.
Gausman had an additional appearance too, as he pitched an inning late in Monday’s Game 7 victory over the Seattle Mariners that sent the Jays to the World Series.
“I think just in talking to all those guys, it made sense to hold Kev off for a day,” said Schneider. “It kind of was the best possible outcome for everyone in terms of matchups and rest.”
The Dodgers will send Blake Snell to the mound in Game 1. The star-powered club that features three-time Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani has been resting since they swept the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.
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“There’s a reason we are here and there’s a reason they’re there. I think the one thing we cannot do is look over there and say that is Goliath,” said Schneider. “That is a beatable baseball team that has its flaws, and that has its really, really good strengths. How we expose each of them will determine who wins the series. And I got all the confidence in the world in my guys.”
Ohtani is fresh off an unreal performance on both sides of the ball in Game 4 versus Milwaukee, where he crushed three home runs and struck out 10 batters across six scoreless innings.
Naturally the Jays were asked about the superstar they appeared close to signing two years ago. Schneider’s response was a zinger.
“He’s a great player. I’ll say it again, I hope he brought his hat, the Blue Jays hat that he took from us in our meeting,” said Schneider. “I hope he brought it back finally – and the jacket for Decoy (Ohtani’s dog). You know, it’s like, give us our stuff back already.”
The Jays must file their World Series roster by 10 a.m. ET Friday. The manager said the decision whether to include Bo Bichette is still under consideration and that Bichette still has “a few more boxes to check.” The shortstop has been out six weeks with a knee sprain and is working behind the scenes to return.
How he would be used is of great intrigue. The manager was asked if Bichette might be in the lineup as a shortstop, at second base, or as a designated hitter. If the Jays don’t use him in the field, that would impact the role of George Springer, who has been the Jays’ DH in the playoffs.
“We’re kind of coming right down to the wire with it,” said Schneider. “Just kind of have to talk to [Bo] after the workout today, see how comfortable he felt doing everything and make the best decision.”
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