Los Angeles — Toronto’s bold decision to trust its newest arm paid off in historic fashion Wednesday night, as rookie starter Trey Yesavage delivered a gem that propelled the Blue Jays past the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6–1, in Game 5 of the World Series. With the victory, Toronto heads back home holding a commanding 3–2 series lead, now just one win away from ending a 32-year championship drought.
The 22-year-old right-hander, barely a month into his Major League career, carved his name into the record books with 12 strikeouts, breaking Don Newcombe’s rookie record for most strikeouts in a World Series start set back in 1949. Yesavage also punched out five consecutive batters, another milestone no rookie had ever reached on baseball’s biggest stage.
What makes the performance more remarkable is how quickly he has climbed. Yesavage opened the season in Single-A, shot through the minor-league ladder, and didn’t debut in the majors until September. On Wednesday, he looked like a veteran.
His lone blemish came in the third inning, when Enrique “Kiké” Hernández turned on a pitch for a solo homer. Outside of that swing, the Dodgers found nothing. Yesavage allowed just three hits, issued no walks, and showcased poise rarely seen from a first-year arm.
“Hollywood couldn’t have written it this good,” Yesavage told reporters afterward. “I’m blessed to be here. I really haven’t had the chance to process all this yet… maybe when the offseason slows everything down.”
Even Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, careful not to feed Toronto’s momentum, couldn’t help but admire the rookie.
“A lot of poise,” Roberts said. “He fields his position, holds runners, doesn’t panic. You’ve got to tip your cap. Game 1, Game 5, on the road — pretty impressive.”
Toronto’s bats deliver history of their own
Fans were still settling into Dodger Stadium when the Blue Jays stunned the home crowd. On the first pitch of the game, outfielder Davis Schneider launched a no-doubt home run to left. One pitch later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with another blast.
It was the first time in World Series history that a team opened a game with back-to-back leadoff home runs.
Toronto added on from there. Ernie Clement drove in Daulton Varsho with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Although Dodgers starter Blake Snell managed to settle temporarily, his pitch count soared, and the seventh inning unraveled quickly. After Snell exited at 116 pitches with two runners aboard, reliever Edgardo Henriquez allowed a wild pitch that scored a run and surrendered an RBI single to Bo Bichette.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa tacked on an insurance run in the eighth, stretching Toronto’s lead to five.
Closer Jeff Hoffman sealed it with a clean ninth, sending Blue Jays fans into celebration mode — especially those already booking travel to Toronto for what could be a championship crowning moment.
What’s next
Friday’s Game 6 returns to Canada, where anticipation has reached a fever pitch. The Dodgers will counter with Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, dominant in his Game 2 appearance. Toronto hands the ball to veteran Kevin Gausman, hoping to anchor a series-clinching effort.
For Yesavage, no matter how this Fall Classic ends, his rapid ascent has already become one of baseball’s most compelling storylines.
“It’s been a crazy world,” he said. “But I’m grateful. Just trying to take it all in.”
Toronto stands one win away from rewriting its baseball history. And thanks to its unlikely rookie, momentum has never been stronger.