With a new day comes another comeback for the Blue Jays. Former Toronto 2024 first-round pick Trey Yesavage was called up for Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in an anticipated start.
Though the Jays were facing a Rays team who were all but done pushing for a playoff spot, fans and players alike weren’t too thrilled about the weekday series in Tampa. Over the past half-decade, the Rays have had the Jays’ number, no matter what version of the Blue Jays it is. After a hurricane destroyed Tropicana Field earlier this year, Tampa Bay made the move to a single-A ballpark, Steinbrenner Field, while their previous home was under construction. Moving from what many consider to be the gloomiest park in baseball to a minor league diamond with practically no atmosphere, any series in Tampa Bay is set to be a long one.
Nevertheless, Canadian baseball fans sat eagerly in wait for a second game that would feature young star Trey Yesavage.
Yesavage spent the 2025 season in the Jays’ minor league system, most notably in AAA Buffalo. The righty would finish his stint in Buffalo with a 3.63 ERA across six games with a WHIP of 1.15, backed by a nasty release point that ultimately led Schneider and the Jays to pick him in last year’s draft.
“It’s a really unique delivery, a really unique angle he’s coming at you with, and that’s his game,” Schneider told reporters.
With only a few days’ notice before his start on Monday, Yesavage told the Sportsnet broadcast about his preparation before the game. Pitching coach Pete Walker informed him about the players he was pitching to and said, “just take a deep breath.”
Yesavage came out of the gate looking a bit shaky. After allowing a single to Chandler Simpson, Yandy Diaz would double to right field, giving the Rays an early 1-0 lead. Later, with two men on and only one out, Yesavage would strike out Brandon Lowe and retire the next two batters to end the inning.
Yesavage never looked back after that first inning. In his remaining four innings, the righty would dice up the Rays lineup, striking out nine batters in his debut, setting a franchise record for most K’s as a first-time starter. Schneider would go on about how impressed he was with Yesavage’s ability to strike out batters.
“The biggest driving factor in our decision was the amount of swing and miss he can generate, too,” said Schneider. “It’s really beneficial going forward, however we see fit to use him.”
After the Jays came back to win the game in extra innings, many fans were quick to question Yesavage’s future with the club and if he would be used again. Schneider would confirm rumours about the youngster, stating that he will be used in the upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals, but isn’t sure if it will be in the form of a starter or reliever.
Aside from the starting pitcher’s legendary debut, the Jays would do what they do best: come back late to crush the hearts of the opposing team. With just two runs on five hits, the curse remained for the Jays, who can’t seem to muster any offence while in Tampa. With a combination of small ball hitting and good baserunning, the Jays were able to tie the game at one in the top of the eighth off a sacrifice fly from Andrés Giménez, scoring Ernie Clement. This was followed by a single from George Springer in the 11th inning to give the Jays the lead.
Despite Yesavage having the performance of a lifetime, Braydon Fisher stole the show late with two incredible innings where he shut down the Rays in the 10th and 11th innings. With the fastest runner in baseball on third base and nobody out, Fisher would channel his inner (April) Jeff Hoffman and strike out the next three batters to end the ballgame in electric fashion, letting out a primal scream before receiving hugs from his catcher, Tyler Heineman.
Fisher, who was not on the roster coming out of training camp, has proven over the season that he can be one of the team’s more trusted relievers. Schneider commented on his performance and expressed his impression.
“He has been so damn good and extra innings is tough, and him and Heiny [Tyler Heineman] just made pitch after pitch. I can’t say enough about him,” Schneider told reporters.
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays have made it clear that Bo Bichette will not be playing for the remainder of the regular season. In an ideal world, the Jays would continue to win games and rest key players in preparation for the postseason. The burning question fans still have is who will be the starting pitcher for game one of the playoffs?
The overwhelming favourite has to be Kevin Guasman. After yet another dominant performance in game three of the series against Tampa, “The Wizard of Guas” has cemented himself as Toronto’s best pitcher over the last month. Headlined by his complete game versus Houston on Sept. 11, since late June, the veteran has been virtually unstoppable.
If the Blue Jays stay on the pace they’re currently on, Toronto could see its team finish atop the American League for the first time since 1985.