Toronto Blue Jays Starting Pitcher Trey Yesavage Tosses a Masterpiece In Game 5 Of World Series
Sometimes you witness something so special in sports that you have to pinch yourself to make sure it’s real. Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium was one of those moments. Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old kid who was pitching in Single-A Dunedin earlier this year, just carved his name into World Series folklore with a performance that left baseball fans absolutely speechless.
Yesavage Shatters Rookie Strikeout Records
Let’s talk numbers, because they’re absolutely bonkers. Yesavage racked up 12 strikeouts in Game 5 against the Dodgers, obliterating Don Newcombe’s rookie World Series record of 11 K’s that had stood since 1949.
But wait, there’s more. The Pennsylvania native didn’t just break one record—he smashed through them like a wrecking ball at a demolition derby. His seventh strikeout of the game gave him 35 total for the postseason, surpassing Michael Wacha’s previous rookie playoff strikeout record. He also became the first rookie ever to notch five consecutive strikeouts in a World Series game. Five in a row! Against a lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, no less.
From Class-A To Making History
Here’s what makes this story even more remarkable: Yesavage was literally pitching in Class-A ball before the World Series. That’s not a typo. He went from facing minor league hopefuls to striking out future Hall of Famers in the span of a few months. It’s the kind of meteoric rise that makes Hollywood scriptwriters jealous.
The Blue Jays rookie also became the first pitcher to record multiple 10-strikeout games in a single postseason as a rookie. Earlier in the playoffs, he struck out 11 Yankees over 5.1 no-hit innings in the ALDS, setting a new franchise record for a single postseason game.
The Secret Weapon: That Nasty Splitter
After admitting his trademark splitter went AWOL during Game 1 of the “Fall Classic,” Yesavage clearly found it again for Game 5. And boy, did he use it effectively. He attacked Los Angeles’ left-handed batters with the pitch early and often, mixing it beautifully with his 95-mph four-seamer, changeup, and slider.
Ohtani? Grounded out on a fastball. Betts? Struck out swinging on three straight pitches. Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Tommy Edman? All sat down in order during the second inning. The only blemish came when Kiké Hernandez launched a 407-foot solo shot in the third.
Even His Girlfriend Knew
Perhaps the most endearing part of this entire story? Yesavage’s girlfriend, Taylor Frick, seemingly predicted his historic night. Before Game 5, she posted “BEST DAY EVER” on Instagram after the Blue Jays announced him as the starter. Talk about calling your shot. She refers to herself as his “biggest fan,” and after watching him work seven innings of pure magic (three hits, one earned run, zero walks, 12 strikeouts), who can argue?
Yesavage’s performance has Toronto on the brink of grabbing a 3-2 series lead heading back home. Whether the Blue Jays ultimately hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy or not, one thing’s crystal clear: we just watched a rookie announce himself on baseball’s biggest stage in the most spectacular way imaginable. Newcombe’s record lasted 75 years. Let’s see how long Yesavage’s stands.
