TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays are putting their playoff hopes in the hands of rookie Trey Yesavage, who will take the mound Sunday for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. With Seattle leading the best-of-seven series 3–2, it’s a must-win situation for Toronto.
“Yesavage’s journey from single-A to the ALCS has been incredible,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “He’s pitched in big games at every level and handled himself well. It’s not just on him — everyone in the lineup has to do their job.”
The 22-year-old right-hander, who started the season with the Dunedin Blue Jays, climbed through every level of the organization before earning a September call-up. He impressed in three regular-season starts, going 1–0 with a 3.21 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 14 innings.
In his postseason debut on Oct. 5, Yesavage dazzled, striking out 11 Yankees over 5⅓ innings of no-hit baseball in a 13–7 Toronto win. But the Mariners found success against him in Game 2, tagging him for five runs in four innings in a 10–3 loss.
Now, the rookie says he’s ready to adjust. “I learned it’s not just one game,” Yesavage said Saturday. “Whether good or bad, you move on and treat the next one like a new day.”
Seattle will counter with Logan Gilbert, who has a chance to pitch the Mariners into their first-ever World Series. “You dream about moments like this,” Gilbert said. “To be the one with the ball means everything.”
Yesavage, meanwhile, is savoring the opportunity. “I was talking to Kevin Gausman, and he told me this is the furthest he’s ever been in the playoffs,” he said. “I’m blessed to be here — and I want to keep playing for all the guys who’ve never seen this part of baseball before.”
Game 6 will determine whether Toronto forces a decisive Game 7 — or if Seattle finally breaks through to the Fall Classic after nearly five decades of waiting.