Despite all the star power and hefty contracts on both World Series teams, it was a 22-year-old rookie right-hander, Trey Yesavage, who made the most headlines. After becoming the first rookie to start a WS in Game 1 since Justin Verlander and Anthony Reyes in 2006, he pitched the Blue Jays to within one win of a championship in Game 5. Now, as Game 7 seems inevitable, will he lineup once again to bring the championship home?

“Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber will be in the dugout “to start” tonight, (GM John) Schneider said. Could join bullpen if needed later on,” The Athletic’s MLB beat writer Mitch Bannon reported. “Max Scherzer will be held back to start a potential Game 7.”

According to Schneider, Scherzer already knew since Game 3 that if a Game 7 was forced, he would be starting it. The 2x WS champion was the starting pitcher in Game 3 when the Dodgers won the epic 18-inning game with a 5-6 scoreline. He lasted 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs in Dodger Stadium.

Still, the Blue Jays’ decision not to start Trey Yesavage in Games 6 and 7 was surprising. After all, he rose through the minors and worked for the hype he now has. Just back in April, he was on the Blue Jays’ Single-A affiliate in Dunedin. Now, he is one of the lifelines that Toronto boasts about for a reason.

With his 12 strikeouts in Game 5, Trey Yesavage went seven solid innings, giving up just one earned run on three hits without a single walk, leading the Blue Jays to a 6–1 win at Dodger Stadium. That brought his total strikeouts in the Fall Classic to 39, setting a new rookie record. Although he wouldn’t get to start, he had already stated that he was ready for whatever game he was put in.

“(I want to) get to a place where myself and the staff here feels comfortable with me. Mentally, I’ll be prepared for Game 6, but I’m just ready for whatever’s next. If there is a next.”

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Now, if the Dodgers manage to push the series to Game 7, Trey Yesavage could be called upon out of the bullpen.

In Game 6, reliable veteran Kevin Gausman started over the standout rookie. He had faced Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 and knows how to tackle the biggest hurdle between the Jays and their title win. Yet, Trey Yesavage is winning hearts everywhere, even among his own teammates.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s take on Trey Yesavage after his historic outing

At only 22, Trey Yesavage put on a pitching masterclass in Game 5 of the World Series. The Blue Jays’ rookie starter went seven innings as Toronto beat the Dodgers to take a 3–2 series lead heading back home.

After that night, Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had nothing but praise for the rookie.

Sharing a special message for him, Vladdy said, “I told him I was so proud of him. He’s a human being. I love him. Every fifth day he comes to give it all he has on the mound, and he showed it today. He built for this.”

Well, Yesavage got enough support from a fired-up Blue Jays offense that went after Dodgers starter Blake Snell right from the first pitch.

Leadoff hitter Davis Schneider set the tone with a home run. And in the third pitch of the game, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with his eighth home run of the postseason, tying himself with Shohei Ohtani for the most homers this October.

Ernie Clement added a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. And the Blue Jays kept the pressure on with more runs in the seventh inning. Yesavage’s only slip came in the third inning when Enrique Hernández took him deep for a solo shot.

Schneider has already claimed that it will be mayhem in Game 7. Let’s see if his trust in the squad is fruitful.