The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t just win Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night. They announced the arrival of their next franchise pitcher in the most dramatic way possible — with a 22-year-old rookie striking out baseball’s biggest superstar to start the Fall Classic.

Trey Yesavage’s signature splitter dropped so sharply in the first inning that it nearly “blew the roof off Rogers Centre,” according to the official MLB.com game recap. The pitch froze Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation who entered the night with a .320/.440/.680 slash line in the postseason, looking utterly helpless. For Yesavage, it was the perfect exclamation point on a performance that kept the Blue Jays in the game long enough for their offense to explode in the sixth inning — a nine-run rally that propelled Toronto to an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series.

Yesavage Joins Elite Company as Second-Youngest World Series Starter

At 22 years and 88 days old, Yesavage became the second-youngest starting pitcher in World Series history, trailing only Ralph Branca (21 years, 267 days in 1947). The Blue Jays’ No. 1 prospect entered the game with just 12 regular-season starts under his belt, but he showed the poise of a veteran when it mattered most.

“It’s my goal to go out there and strike out everybody I face,” Yesavage told reporters after the game. “So, being able to start off the game on a hot note was definitely a boost in my confidence. It was cool. It was really cool.”

His performance was particularly impressive given the circumstances. The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the second inning and Yesavage responded by inducing a groundout and a strikeout to escape unscathed. He repeated the feat in the third inning, working out of another two-on, one-out jam. By the time he left the game after four innings, he had limited Los Angeles to just two runs — a remarkable achievement against a lineup that led the National League in runs scored during the regular season.

The Turning Point: Yesavage vs. Ohtani

The first-inning strikeout of Ohtani wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment — it set the tone for the entire game. The Dodgers’ superstar, who had already homered 52 times during the regular season, was held hitless in his first three at-bats against Yesavage. The Blue Jays’ rookie right-hander attacked Ohtani with a mix of high fastballs and his devastating splitter, a pitch that has quickly become his calling card.

“We did pretty good to kind of get to him,” Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts admitted after the game. “But we’ve got to cash in more than that, especially against a team that’s swinging it really well. I feel like that was a big point in the game that really changed things.”

Betts was right. The Blue Jays’ offense, which had been relatively quiet through the first five innings, erupted for nine runs in the sixth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. And Bo Bichette led the charge with back-to-back home runs, turning a 2-2 tie into a commanding 11-2 lead. By the time the dust settled, Toronto had handed the Dodgers their worst postseason loss since 2019.

What In other words for the Blue Jays’ Postseason Run

Yesavage’s performance in Game 1 wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a statement. The Blue Jays entered the World Series with questions about their rotation depth, particularly after ace Kevin Gausman was scratched from his Game 2 start due to a minor forearm strain. Yesavage’s ability to neutralize the Dodgers’ lineup for four innings gave Toronto’s bullpen a much-needed breather and proved that the Blue Jays have more than one arm capable of dominating in October.

The victory also marked Toronto’s first World Series win in 32 years. The last time the Blue Jays hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy was in 1993, when Joe Carter’s walk-off home run ended the series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This year’s team, led by a mix of young talent and veteran leadership, is looking to complete that drought — and Yesavage’s performance in Game 1 suggests they have the pitching to do it.

Key Numbers from Yesavage’s Historic Start

• Age: 22 years, 88 days (second-youngest Game 1 starter in World Series history)
• Innings Pitched: 4.0
• Strikeouts: 5 (including Ohtani in the first inning)
• Runs Allowed: 2 (both unearned)
• High-Leverage Situations: Escaped two bases-loaded jams
• Signature Pitch: Splitter (generated 4 of his 5 strikeouts)

What’s Next for Yesavage and the Blue Jays?

The Blue Jays will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series when they face the Dodgers again on Saturday night at Rogers Centre. The pitching matchup is still to be determined, as the Blue Jays are monitoring Gausman’s forearm strain. If he’s unable to go, Yesavage could be called upon for an emergency start — though manager John Schneider has indicated he’d prefer to give his rookie another day of rest.

For Yesavage, the focus now shifts to recovery. Pitching in the World Series is a grueling experience, especially for a young arm, and the Blue Jays will need him at his best if they hope to close out the series in Los Angeles next week.

“I’m just trying to take it one game at a time,” Yesavage said. “This is a dream come true, and I want to enjoy every second of it. But I also know we’ve got a long way to go.”

How to Follow the World Series

Fans can catch all the action from the 2025 World Series on MLB.TV or through their local broadcast affiliates. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, at 7:07 p.m. ET (11:07 p.m. UTC) at Rogers Centre in Toronto. For real-time updates, follow the official MLB Twitter account and the Blue Jays’ Twitter account.

Key Takeaways

• Historic Debut: Trey Yesavage became the second-youngest pitcher to start a World Series Game 1, trailing only Ralph Branca (1947).
• Dominant Performance: Yesavage held the Dodgers to two runs over four innings, escaping multiple high-leverage situations.
• Signature Moment: His first-inning strikeout of Shohei Ohtani set the tone for the Blue Jays’ 11-4 victory.
• Offensive Explosion: Toronto’s lineup erupted for nine runs in the sixth inning, turning a tight game into a rout.
• Rotation Questions: With Kevin Gausman’s status uncertain for Game 2, Yesavage could be called upon again if needed.
• Series Outlook: The Blue Jays now lead the series 1-0 and will look to take a commanding lead in Game 2.

What do you think of Trey Yesavage’s World Series debut? Will the Blue Jays be able to ride this momentum to their first championship in 32 years? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media using #BlueJays and #WorldSeries.