Blue Jays Starting Trey Yesavage in Game 1 Makes Incredible World Series History
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The Toronto Blue Jays are going to attempt to take down the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series starting this weekend at Rogers Centre.
At first pitch in Game 1 on Friday night however, Toronto is going to be making some incredible baseball history with who they are throwing out there to begin the Fall Classic.
The organization made some major headlines on Thursday afternoon when it was reported that rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage is going to start Game 1 for the Blue Jays, taking on left-hander Blake Snell for Los Angeles.
While it's a bold decision from manager John Schneider to start Yesavage, it's also a history-making one. The 22-year-old is going to be the second-youngest Game 1 starter in the history of the World Series and the youngest since 1947.
Yesavage Starting Game 1 For Blue Jays at His Age Makes History
At 22 years and 88 days, Trey Yesavage will be the second-youngest Game 1 starting pitcher in World Series history, older than only:
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 23, 2025
1947 Ralph Branca: 21y 267d https://t.co/PUkTHe74zG
As relayed by Sarah Langs of MLB, Yesavage's age of 22 years and 88 days on Friday night makes him the second youngest-ever starting pitcher in a World Series Game 1, and the youngest since Ralph Branca for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
Branca got the start against the New York Yankees -- a series New York would win in seven games -- and things did not go very well for the 21-year-old, allowing just two hits but five earned runs with three walks in four innings pitched.
Toronto will have to hope that things go better for their youngster than they did for Branca, and if they do, they are going to have a tremendous chance to win Game 1.
Yesavage Against Snell is a Spectacular Pitching Duel
Snell has been absolutely phenomenal in the postseason with a 0.86 ERA and 0.52 WHIP over his three starts and 21 innings, collecting a 3-0 record with 28 strikeouts compared to just five walks.
Yesavage on the other hand has been a bit more of a roller coaster, collecting 11 strikeouts in 5.1 innings in his playoff debut against the New York Yankees but getting a bit rattled during his second appearance.
Though he bounced back in his Game 6 of the ALCS start after getting knocked around in Game 2 to help the Blue Jays stay alive and get to a Game 7, he still posted a 6.52 ERA across two starts with six walks as he struggled to be effective with his splitter.
If Yesavage has his stuff rolling though, it should be a night for the ages in Toronto on Friday evening.
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Michael Brauner is a 2022 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Sports Media. He covers various MLB teams across the On SI network and you can also find his work on Yellowhammer News covering the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers as well as on the radio producing and co-hosting 'The Opening Kickoff' every weekday morning on 105.5 WNSP FM in Mobile, Alabama.