While the World Series Game 3 became Shohei Ohtani’s show, Game 4 proved how the Jays’ investment in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette has safeguarded the team. Now, Game 5 is set to be another tiebreaker. And for the Jays, winning that game will not be that easy, as the Dodgers will throw all of their fireworks. The pressure has shifted towards Trey Yesavage.

Jesse Rogers from ESPN summed up the situation perfectly. “A Game 5 win on Wednesday might feel like gravy for the Blue Jays, as they’re handing the ball to rookie Trey Yesavage for his first road start of the postseason.” Yesavage’s outing will likely determine who has the mental edge on their way back to Toronto.

This will be Trey‘s first postseason start on the road. With multiple available relievers predicted to follow Yesavage, the Jays are focusing on piecing together a new pitching dominance. As Rogers mentioned, “If Toronto can capture a second victory in Los Angeles — with several relievers likely available again to follow Yesavage — it can turn the favored Dodgers into underdogs.” 

While John Schneider has not yet released the lineup for the next game, we do have some probable reports.

As per MLB.com, “Louis Varland pitched again, but given that he’s pitched in nearly every game this postseason, he’s the one reliever the Blue Jays would be open to pitching three days in a row if Game 5 calls for it. There will still be some gassed relievers like Mason Fluharty and Chris Bassitt, who have pitched back-to-back games.”

Meanwhile, multiple analysts and fans are now questioning whether Yesavage can handle the pressure. Because Yesavage won his postseason debut against the Yankees, but after that, the star struggled in a 10-2 loss to the Mariners in Game 2 of the championship series. In that game, he allowed five runs in 4 innings. But then again, Yesavage won Game 6 of that series by giving up 2 runs over 5 ⅔ innings. Plus, Yesavage’s last appearance was at the opening of the Fall Classic, where he gave up only 2 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in four innings. The result was a resounding 11-4 win at home.

And with all that, the question arises: How have the Dodgers plotted their comeback?

Their starter will be Blake Snell. He is getting another chance against the Jays after Toronto gave Snell the toughest outing of the postseason in Game 1 at Rogers Centre. The Jays scored five runs off Snell in just over 5 innings, deemed as his worst playoff start. But before that, Snell had been elite.

He allowed just 2 runs in 21 innings with 5 walks, 6 hits over 3 starts and 28 strikeouts. As per MLB.com, “After joining the Dodgers on a five-year, $182 million deal this past offseason, Snell missed four months with a shoulder injury but rounded into his best form at the right time upon his return.” So, hope, right?

Then there is Shohei Ohtani’s power.

“Shohei Ohtani homered twice and tied a 119-year-old major league record with four extra-base hits in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night….After his four-hit barrage in the first seven innings, Ohtani drew five consecutive walks in this epic 18-inning World Series game, making him the first major leaguer in 83 years to reach base nine times in any game, let alone the postseason,” FOX Sports posted after Game 3.

Yet, for Yesavage, though, the challenge might be intense, but not impossible.

And amid all the World Series, another off-court choice of the Blue Jays is igniting major debate.

Blue Jays make strategic Shane Bieber decision amid $16 million exit speculation

As the Jays go on with their breath-taking World Series battle, the Blue Jays’ vigilant handling of Shane Bieber has also taken the spotlight. After helping Toronto tie the series 2-2, Bieber’s Game 4 heroics came under the radar when reports showed that manager John Scheider knowingly changed his pitching schedule. The decision, apparently influenced by Bieber’s health as well as looming free agency, has raised questions across the baseball world.

“Schneider said he wanted Bieber, in his first season back from Tommy John, to get seven days’ rest instead of six. But that wasn’t the Jays’ only motivation,” Ken Rosenthal reported for The Athletic. “Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker also were mindful of being fair to Bieber, knowing how much he had given them since his arrival in a deadline trade, knowing he is likely to decline his $16 million player option and hit the free-agent market.”

But the decision may prove advantageous in the longer run.

By demonstrating fairness and trust, the Blue Jays could solidify their case to re-sign Bieber when the free-agent market opens up. And after his composed 5+ innings in Game 4, aiding Toronto seize a win in Los Angeles, the outcomes speak for themselves.

Whether the decision was sentimental or strategic, it may have safeguarded both Bieber’s arm and his bond with the franchise, an investment that could pay off beyond this World Series.