Los Angeles (News 4 Us Online) – The first two batters of the game homered off Blake Snell, and that was all it took for the Blue Jays to win Game 5 of the World Series, as emerging star Trey Yesavage outdueled the two-time Cy Young winner for the second time this series.
Yesavage set the rookie World Series record with 12 strikeouts, allowing only 3 hits across 7 innings with no walks. It was dominance at its finest for the 22-year-old, who made the Dodgers look like a team that should not even be in the postseason.
The Blue Jays are now one win away from their first World Series title since 1993, and 2 of their 3 wins have come in starts made by a player who had only pitched in 6 MLB games prior to the series.
“It’s a crazy world. Hollywood couldn’t have made it this good. So just being a part of this, I’m just very blessed,” said Yesavage.
No walks might be the most impressive part of the young starter’s night. The Dodgers are one of the most patient teams in the league, drawing walks at the second-highest clip during the regular season. He brought the fight to them, and they folded one by one.
“Historic stuff. When you talk about that stage and his numbers, getting ahead of a lot of hitters, tons of swing-and-miss. It’s one thing to be in the zone, and it’s another thing to be in the zone and get some swing-and-miss,” said manager John Schneider.
In 2024, Yesavage was pitching for East Carolina University, and now he is a 2025 World Series MVP candidate. His ascension to stardom is almost unheard of. He pitched in Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Single-A this season before being added to the Major League roster in mid-September.
“Thinking back to when we called him up, with 12 or 13 games left in the season, you’re kind of taking a shot to just bring more talent in, and you’re not really sure of how it’s going to unfold or what role he’s going to be in,” said Schneider.
His unlikely contributions have been essential to Toronto’s success during this run, and without his arrival, they would not be this close to clinching a championship.
The presence of three seasoned All-Star pitchers alongside him in the rotation is a dream scenario that will only continue to aid Yesavage.
“I was talking to Gausman, Scherzer, and Bieber yesterday, and it prepared me for this moment, along with everything that has happened already this year,” said Yesavage. “Being surrounded by vets is a great thing for the future of my career. They have treated me the best I could have ever asked for.”
Unless he makes an appearance out of the bullpen in Game 6 or 7, Yesavage’s final World Series line will read 11 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and a staggering 17 strikeouts.
He now has more career World Series strikeouts than he has in the regular season.
Los Angeles hitters had almost no chance against him in Game 5, looking broken at times, as they desperately searched for new answers to their approach at the plate.
With the performance, Yesavage has now firmly established himself amongst guys like Paul Skenes and Jacob Misiorowski as one of the best young pitchers in baseball.
Featured Image Caption: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage tips his cap after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball’s World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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