Blue Jays Dominate Game 5 Behind Rookie Trey Yesavage, Move One Win Away from World Series Title

The Toronto Blue Jays wasted no time in Game 5 of the World Series, striking fast and striking hard. Back-to-back home runs from Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off Los Angeles ace Blake Snell in the opening frame set the tone for a decisive 6–1 victory Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. With the win, Toronto grabbed a 3–2 series lead and now stands just one victory away from a long-awaited World Series crown.

It was a performance that encapsulated the Blue Jays’ October run—early offense, dominant pitching, and calm execution in a high-pressure moment. Rookie starter Trey Yesavage stole the spotlight, delivering seven brilliant innings to silence a Dodgers lineup that never found its rhythm.

The loss pushed Los Angeles to the brink of elimination, leaving the defending champions searching for answers as the series heads back to Toronto. The Dodgers entered the game having made several lineup adjustments in hopes of reigniting their offense, but the changes had little effect. They managed just one run on four hits against Toronto’s pitching staff.

Despite the setback, veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman remained optimistic about his team’s chances. “We faced this last year. We were down 2–1 to the Padres and won two in a row. So, we can do it again,” Freeman said, referencing Los Angeles’ comeback in the 2024 National League Division Series.

1. Yesavage’s Command Masterclass Makes History

If there was any doubt about Trey Yesavage’s readiness for the spotlight, Game 5 erased it completely. The 22-year-old rookie dominated from start to finish, striking out 12 Dodgers without issuing a walk across seven innings. He allowed only three hits and one run—a solo home run to Kiké Hernández in the third inning. Yesavage’s performance set a new record for the most strikeouts in a World Series game by a pitcher aged 22 or younger. It was also the first time in World Series history a rookie recorded at least 11 strikeouts without a single walk. His mix of sliders, splitters, and precision fastballs kept Los Angeles hitters off balance all night. Manager John Schneider praised his rookie’s poise and command. “You could see from the first inning that Trey had a plan and stuck with it,” he said postgame. “He attacked the zone, stayed aggressive, and never let the moment get too big.” For the Dodgers, it marked the second consecutive game in which their offense failed to deliver. Los Angeles has scored only four runs in the past three games, a stunning downturn for one of baseball’s most potent lineups.

2. Snell’s Struggles Continue, Dodgers’ Offense Falters

Blake Snell entered Game 5 looking to rebound from a rough Game 1 outing—but the Blue Jays wasted no time testing him again. Schneider’s leadoff blast and Guerrero Jr.’s immediate follow-up sent Dodger Stadium into early silence. From there, Snell battled through 6.2 innings but never looked fully comfortable, surrendering five runs on six hits and four walks while throwing two wild pitches. The former Cy Young winner has now allowed 10 earned runs in 11.2 innings across his three World Series starts, a disappointing stretch for the Dodgers’ ace. While Snell downplayed the outcome postgame, he acknowledged the frustration. “I’m not one to make excuses,” he said. “It’s just part of the game—sometimes you make good pitches and don’t get the results.” Meanwhile, Toronto continued to show balance across its lineup. Beyond the early fireworks, the Blue Jays extended their lead with patient at-bats and timely contact. The win underscored how consistent contributions—from rookies to veterans—have powered their deep playoff run. Freddie Freeman summed up the Dodgers’ challenge succinctly: “We’ve got to put runs on the board and do a better job. We just haven’t done that for about two and a half games.”

3. Series Heads to Toronto with Blue Jays on the Brink

The World Series now shifts north to Toronto, where the Blue Jays have a chance to clinch their first title since 1993 in front of a home crowd. The atmosphere at Rogers Centre is expected to be electric as Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for Los Angeles in a must-win Game 6. Toronto will counter with Kevin Gausman, who has been dominant throughout the postseason. For the Dodgers, the formula is simple—rediscover their offensive rhythm or watch their season end. Their star hitters, including Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, will need to find their stride quickly after going a combined 1-for-13 in Game 5. Freeman remains confident that a reset day could help turn things around. “We all know what we’re capable of, and we haven’t done it for two games,” he said. “Maybe the day off will cool them down and reignite us.” For Toronto, though, the path is clear. After years of close calls and rebuilds, the franchise stands one win from baseball immortality. The Blue Jays’ message heading home is simple—finish the job.