The Toronto Blue Jays will hand the ball to flamethrowing rookie Trey Yesavage for Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, the team announced Thursday.
At just 22 years and 88 days old, Yesavage becomes the second-youngest pitcher to start a World Series opener in history, trailing only the Dodgers’ Ralph Branca (21 years, 267 days) in 1947.
Yesavage’s rise has been meteoric: after beginning the season in Single-A Dunedin and making only three regular-season starts, he delivered a standout postseason performance. He started and won Game 6 of the ALCS against the Mariners, tossing 5 2/3 innings of strong pitching.
The hard-throwing right-hander previously dazzled in Game 2 of the ALDS, striking out 11 Yankees over 5 1/3 no-hit innings in a 13-7 victory, showcasing the dominant stuff that earned him the World Series nod.
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Ace Kevin Gausman, who pitched in relief during Monday’s ALCS-clinching win over Seattle, will now be available on full rest for a later game. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the Game 2 starter is expected to be announced later Thursday.
