Toronto Blue Jays on Brink of World Series Title After Yesavage Masterclass and Historic Offensive Start in Game 5

Oct 29, 2025, 11:12 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays stand on the precipice of their first World Series championship in 32 years, holding a commanding 3-2 series lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers following a decisive 6-1 victory in Game 5. The pivotal contest, played on Wednesday night, witnessed a historic offensive start and a dominant pitching performance that pushed the Fall Classic back to Canada, where the Blue Jays will now have two opportunities to clinch the Commissioner’s Trophy on their home turf at Rogers Centre.

From the very first pitch, the Blue Jays signaled their intent to seize control of the series. Toronto’s offense erupted in the opening frame, as second baseman Davis Schneider and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched back-to-back home runs to lead off the game. This rare feat marked the first instance in World Series history where a team began a game with consecutive home runs, immediately establishing a 2-0 advantage and setting an aggressive tone for the remainder of the contest. The early power display against the Dodgers’ starter appeared to rattle the defending champions, who had made various lineup adjustments in an attempt to spark their offense after struggling in previous games.

However, the defining narrative of Game 5 quickly shifted to the mound, where rookie sensation Trey Yesavage delivered a performance that etched his name into the annals of World Series lore. Yesavage, whose ascent to the major leagues had been swift and impactful, demonstrated poise and command far beyond his years. He navigated the Dodgers’ formidable lineup with a masterful array of pitches, primarily relying on his devastating sweeper-splitter combination. The rookie right-hander consistently kept Los Angeles hitters off balance, inducing weak contact and racking up strikeouts at a historic pace.

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Yesavage’s dominance reached a crescendo in the bottom of the fifth inning when he recorded his tenth strikeout of the game by whiffing Dodgers outfielder Alex Call. This achievement placed him in elite company, making him the first pitcher since legendary Dodgers left-hander Sandy Koufax in Game 1 of the 1963 World Series to record ten strikeouts through five innings in a Fall Classic start. Koufax, who was reportedly in attendance, witnessed his half-century-old record equaled by the emerging Blue Jays star. Yesavage continued his stellar outing, ultimately completing seven innings of one-run baseball, allowing only three hits and walking none.

The final statistics underscored the historical significance of Yesavage’s performance. He concluded Game 5 with an astounding 12 strikeouts, setting a new World Series record for a rookie pitcher. This marked the first time any pitcher had recorded 12 strikeouts in a World Series game since Orlando Hernández of the New York Yankees achieved the feat in 2000. Furthermore, according to ESPN Research, Yesavage became the first pitcher in World Series history to register 12 strikeouts without issuing a single walk, a testament to his pinpoint control and the overwhelming effectiveness of his arsenal against a lineup renowned for its discipline. His ability to command both the sweeper and splitter, often described as having an unconventional release point, effectively negated any prior familiarity the Dodgers might have gained from earlier matchups in the series.

Beyond the early home runs, the Blue Jays’ offense steadily built upon its lead throughout the game. While the specific details of additional scoring plays were not immediately highlighted, the final score of 6-1 indicates a sustained offensive effort that provided Yesavage with a comfortable cushion. The Blue Jays’ lineup, which has demonstrated resilience and timely hitting throughout the postseason, capitalized on opportunities and maintained pressure on the Dodgers’ pitching staff after the initial jolt. This sustained production further showcased Toronto’s balanced attack, preventing the Dodgers from mounting any significant comeback attempts.

For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Game 5 defeat represents a significant blow to their aspirations of repeating as World Series champions. The loss means they will not have the opportunity to clinch the title on their home field, a scenario that would have provided a significant psychological boost. Instead, they now face the daunting task of traversing the continent back to Toronto, Canada, for Game 6. The journey across North America, coupled with the change in climate often characterized by cooler, potentially rainy conditions in Toronto during late October, adds another layer of challenge for a team already reeling from a dominant pitching performance. The Rogers Centre is anticipated to be a cauldron of noise and energy, with a revved-up fan base eager to witness their team claim the championship.

The defeat also places the Dodgers on the brink of extending Major League Baseball’s prolonged drought for repeat champions, a streak that dates back to the turn of the millennium. Their vaunted lineup, featuring perennial All-Stars and high-profile acquisitions, failed to generate consistent offense against Yesavage, raising questions about their ability to adjust under pressure. While the Dodgers will not have to face Yesavage again in a starting role, the prospect of a decisive Game 7 could see two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani potentially take the mound in relief after Tyler Glasnow, adding an intriguing, high-stakes element to the series’ potential conclusion.

For the Toronto Blue Jays, the path ahead is clear, yet challenging. One more victory will bring an end to a 32-year championship drought, harkening back to the franchise’s back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. The team will send its veteran ace, Kevin Gausman, to the mound for Game 6. Gausman, known for his dominant split-finger fastball, will carry the hopes of a nation as he aims to close out the series. The Blue Jays’ offense, which has shown considerable potency, will be relied upon to continue its consistent production and support Gausman. The atmosphere at Rogers Centre is expected to be electric, providing a significant home-field advantage as the team attempts to seal its historic triumph.

However, the Blue Jays remain acutely aware of the formidable challenge still presented by the Dodgers, especially given the potential for Ohtani to play a pivotal pitching role in a hypothetical Game 7. The pressure of being "one win away" can be immense, and past World Series have demonstrated that closing out a series can be the most difficult hurdle. Nevertheless, with a 3-2 lead and two chances at home, the Toronto Blue Jays are in the strongest position they have been in for over three decades to capture the ultimate prize in Major League Baseball.

Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the Blue Jays will attempt to clinch the 2025 World Series title.