Blue Jays' Rookie Yesavage Starts World Series Game 1 vs Dodgers

Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old rookie right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, will start Game 1 of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Blake Snell, making him the 13th rookie and second-youngest pitcher ever to start a World Series Game 1. Yesavage's rapid rise is remarkable, having begun the season at Single-A Dunedin and progressing through various minor league levels before making his MLB debut in mid-September, with only three regular-season starts prior to the postseason. Despite limited major league experience, Yesavage has delivered strong postseason performances, including a dominant outing against the New York Yankees and key starts in the ALCS, helping Toronto reach the Fall Classic for the first time since 1993. The Dodgers counter with veteran left-hander Blake Snell, who has been dominant in the playoffs with a perfect 3-0 record and an 0.86 ERA. The Blue Jays' decision to start Yesavage reflects their confidence in his potential and the depth of their pitching staff, positioning him to pitch on the sport's biggest stage despite his youth and relative inexperience. This choice underscores Toronto's remarkable turnaround from last place in 2024 to World Series contenders, led by key players like ALCS MVP Vladimir Guerrero Jr.