Yesavage Will Start Game 1 of the World Series for the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have selected rookie Trey Yesavage to pitch in Game 1 of the World Series against the current champion Dodgers. However, it has not yet been decided whether Bo Bichette will be on the team roster, according to manager John Schneider. Bichette hasn’t played since he twisted his left knee on September 6. He tried to return for the American League Championship Series against the Mariners, but couldn’t run without feeling pain on October 11. Bichette, a two-time All-Star, has shown substantial progress. The player has been taking ground balls at second base and facing live pitches. The team is considering Bichette for shortstop, second base, or designated hitter, and he could even be used as a pinch hitter.The decision for the Game 1 opener came down to Yesavage or Kevin Gausman. Ultimately, it was decided to give Gausman another day of rest. Gausman will start Game 2 in Toronto or Game 3 in Los Angeles. Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer are the other expected starters for the Blue Jays. The Dodgers will counter with Blake Snell, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to start Game 2.We are reaching the limit with this. I could see all three things happening, to be honest. I just have to talk to him after today’s training, see how comfortable he felt doing everything and make the best decision.
John Schneider
Yesavage, 22, will make his seventh start in his career on Friday in Game 1, which will mark the Blue Jays’ first appearance in the World Series since 1993. He will be the first rookie to start Game 1 of the World Series since 2006. Yesavage debuted in the Major Leagues a little over a month ago, on September 15th. In his postseason debut, the right-hander held the Yankees hitless with 11 strikeouts and no walks in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Yesavage was selected in the first round of last year’s draft. He started this season with the Low-A Dunedin Blue Jays. The player has quickly risen through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect. He arrived in mid-September and is now preparing for the franchise’s first World Series game in 32 years. It’s really special. I have guys from Dunedin to Vancouver, New Hampshire, Buffalo texting me, congratulating me. But it’s just a testament to how united this whole organization is, even in different parts of the country. This organization is very well run and everyone is incredible here.We try to talk to all the guys and see how they are physically, see what we’ve done historically in terms of rest, how it might be later in the series for certain guys. And then, how each of them compares to the Dodgers.
John Schneider
