Rookie Trey Yesavage Starts World Series Game 1 for Blue Jays
Oct, 25 2025
When Trey Michael Yesavage, right‑handed pitcher for Toronto Blue Jays took the ball in the first inning of the 2025 World SeriesRogers Centre, the baseball world stopped and stared. The 22‑year‑old rookie, making just his seventh big‑league appearance, became the second‑youngest pitcher ever to open a World Series, trailing only Ralph Branca who did it at 21‑years‑267‑days back in 1947.
From College Prospect to World Series Starter
The road to that October night began at East Carolina University, where Yesavage sharpened his signature splitter. The Blue Jays selected him 20th overall in the 2024 MLB amateur draft, and he spent the first half of 2025 climbing the minor‑league ladder: Class A Dunedin, High‑A Vancouver, Double‑A New Hampshire, and finally Triple‑A Buffalo. He made his MLB debut on September 15, 2025, at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In three regular‑season starts that September, Yesavage posted a 1‑0 record with a 3.21 ERA, striking out 16 batters over 14 innings while walking seven. Those numbers didn’t look flashy, but his poise under pressure earned him a fast‑track to the postseason.
Postseason Pedigree Exceeds Regular‑Season Experience
During the American League Division Series, Yesavage threw 5 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings in Game 2 against the New York Yankees, fanning 11 batters. The following round, against the Seattle Mariners, he mixed a solid Game 2 effort – five runs in four innings – with a clutch Game 6 performance, allowing just two runs over 5 1/3 innings to clinch the AL pennant.
The Elias Sports Bureau notes that Yesavage is only the second pitcher in MLB history whose postseason starts outnumber regular‑season outings. That rarity added an extra layer of intrigue when John Schneider, the Blue Jays’ manager, announced the Game 1 start on October 23.
Game 1: A Brave Start Against a Powerhouse Dodgers Staff
Facing a Dodgers lineup that featured the likes of Shohei Ohtani and a left‑handed rotation headed by Blake Snell, Yesavage delivered two runs over four innings. He threw 80 pitches, 10 of them splitters, walked three and struck out five – Ohtani was his first out. His fastball sat just under his usual 94 mph, a full mile per hour slower, but his command kept the Dodgers from getting early momentum.
Left‑hander Mason Fluharty came on in the fifth, inheriting a base runner and the threat of Ohtani’s bat. The Dodgers would later answer with a pair of runs in the sixth, pulling within one.
"It made sense to hold Kevin [Gausman] for a day," Schneider said after the game, hinting at a strategic roster shuffle for Games 2 and 3. Gausman, who logged a 19‑pitch relief stint in the ALCS Game 7 and a 91‑pitch start just three days earlier, remains a likely option for the next start.
Strategic Choices Behind the Decision
Blue Jays executives, led by Rogers Communications, have been praised for their willingness to gamble on youth. Schneider’s move mirrored a 2023 decision by the Astros to start a rookie in the World Series, a gamble that paid off.
"We didn’t want to waste a hot arm," Schneider explained. "Yesavage has shown he can handle pressure. The Dodgers are a big‑hitting team, but his splitter is a weapon we trust against right‑handers."
Meanwhile, veteran arms Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber and Kevin Gausman are being saved for later games, creating a rotation that could keep the Dodgers off‑balance. The Dodgers responded by naming Snell for Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Game 2, signaling a classic left‑right matchup.
Hometown Hero: Community Pride in Boyertown
Back in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, October 24 was declared "Trey Day" at Yesavage’s alma mater, Boyertown Area High School. Students donned Blue Jays caps, teachers hoisted banners, and longtime baseball coach Todd Moyer exclaimed, "It’s amazing he’s starting Game 1. He’s handled it with a maturity beyond his years."
The small town’s celebration reflects a larger narrative: a Pennsylvania kid who scaled the minor leagues in record time, now starring on baseball’s biggest stage. For many fans, Yesavage’s story is a reminder that the sport still produces fresh, compelling storylines.
What’s Next for Toronto and Los Angeles?
If the Blue Jays can ride the momentum from a solid Game 1, they’ll have a chance to force a decisive Game 5 or beyond. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on their deep roster and the return of Ohtani to the lineup.
Analyst Mike Axisa of MLB.com noted, "Yesavage’s start is a bold statement. If he can keep the Dodgers quiet early, it opens doors for the bullpen and for Schneider to shuffle his aces in later games."
Regardless of the outcome, the decision to trust a rookie on opening night will be dissected in post‑series analysis for years.
Key Facts
- Yesavage’s age: 22 years, 88 days – second‑youngest World Series opener.
- Regular‑season appearances before the Series: 3 (1‑0, 3.21 ERA).
- Postseason starts before Game 1: 4 (5 1/3 scoreless vs. Yankees, 2 starts vs. Mariners).
- Game 1 line: 80 pitches, 5 K, 2 R, 3 BB.
- Blue Jays ownership: Rogers Communications (since 2000).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Yesavage's start affect the Blue Jays' chances in the Series?
His early success could set the tone, giving Toronto a morale boost and allowing Schneider to conserve veterans for later games. If Yesavage can limit the Dodgers to two runs, it puts Toronto in a strong position to take a lead heading into Game 2.
Why did Schneider choose a rookie over seasoned arms like Gausman?
Schneider said he wanted to "hold Kevin for a day" to keep the rotation fresh. Yesavage’s recent postseason work showed he can handle pressure, and his splitter is effective against right‑handed hitters, making him a strategic fit for the Dodgers’ lineup.
What makes Yesavage's splitter so effective?
The pitch drops sharply just before the plate, confusing batters’ timing. In the postseason he averaged a 78‑% swing‑and‑miss rate with the splitter, a key factor in his 11‑K performance against the Yankees.
Will the Dodgers adjust their lineup after Yesavage's performance?
Los Angeles is likely to stick with Snell for Game 2 but may shuffle hitters, perhaps moving Ohtani up the order to capitalize on any fatigue Yesavage shows later. Their bench depth gives them flexibility to counter Toronto’s rotation strategy.
How is Boyertown celebrating Yesavage’s milestone?
The high school declared October 24 "Trey Day," with students wearing Blue Jays gear, banners lining the hallway, and coach Todd Moyer speaking at a pep rally. The town sees the start as a source of pride for the entire community.