Blue Jays Rookie Trey Yesavage Starts Must-Win ALCS Game 6 vs Mariners

The Toronto Blue Jays return home trailing the ALCS 3-2 for a must-win Game 6, and manager John Schneider has turned to 22-year-old rookie Trey Yesavage to try to keep Toronto’s season alive. Yesavage — who debuted Sept. 15 after a rapid climb through the minors — has already shown extreme highs (5.1 no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts in the ALDS) and a rough ALCS outing when he allowed five runs in four innings. His split-finger fastball is his signature weapon and a reason the Blue Jays lead MLB in splitter usage (team postseason rate up to 14.5% while Yesavage throws the pitch roughly 27.9% of the time). Yesavage said veteran Kevin Gausman told him to treat the start as a rare opportunity, a reminder that even established aces have struggled in this tight series. The Jays also face uncertainty about George Springer after he was struck on the knee by a Bryan Woo sinker in Game 5 and left with a contusion (X-rays negative). Schneider’s roster and bullpen choices have drawn criticism, but the club is banking on Yesavage’s poise and splitter to prolong the season.