As Game 6 of the 2025 World Series returns to Toronto, there will be no baseball action today. The spotlight remains on Trey Yesavage’s remarkable performance in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. The 22-year-old pitcher set a new MLB rookie post-season record by striking out 12 batters in just over 100 pitches.
This achievement surpassed a record set in 1949 by Don Newcombe, who struck out 11 players while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Yesavage’s exceptional feat includes being the only pitcher in MLB history to achieve 12 strikeouts in a World Series game without issuing any walks. The only run scored against him was a solo home run in the third inning.
Yesavage’s pitching brilliance continued as he pitched seven solid innings in Game 5, a notable accomplishment in the post-season where starting pitchers have struggled to go deep into games. Since the start of the World Series, Yesavage has pitched a total of 11 innings after his initial three-inning appearance in Game 1.
Despite his young age and recent promotion from the minor leagues, Yesavage’s performance has been outstanding. His journey from playing for the Dunedin Blue Jays in low-A ball to his rapid rise to the major leagues culminated in a historic playoff debut in Game 2 against the New York Yankees.
Nicknamed “The Cheat Code” by his former coach, Yesavage’s dominance on the mound has been evident since his teenage years. His ability to consistently deliver impressive performances has not gone unnoticed by the Toronto Blue Jays management, who showed confidence in his skills by thrusting him into high-stakes games.
In Game 5, Yesavage set multiple records with 23 swings and misses out of 52 swings, the most in a World Series game since tracking began. His performance against top-notch players, including MVP winners like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, demonstrated his composure and skill.
As the Blue Jays aim for their first World Series title since 1993, Yesavage’s emergence as a standout pitcher has been instrumental in their success. With Game 6 on the horizon in Toronto, the team is eager to build on their momentum and secure a historic victory.