The Toronto Blue Jays moved within one win of their first World Series title since 1993 with a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5, a game highlighted by Trey Yesavage setting a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts and the Blue Jays opening the contest with back-to-back home runs.
Trey Yesavage’s performance stood out all night, and his 12 strikeouts set a new mark for a rookie in World Series play. He mixed stuff and control well enough to keep Los Angeles off balance, turning a tense series moment into a statement outing. That kind of pitching from a newcomer changes how a series feels for both clubs.
The offense answered immediately, starting Game 5 with consecutive homers that put Toronto on the front foot. Getting two back-to-back shots to open a game does more than score runs; it rattles an opponent and energizes a crowd. In this case, those early swings set the tone for a 6-1 final that left the Blue Jays one win away from the championship.
Across the diamond, the Blue Jays showed balance between timely hitting and shutdown pitching, which is exactly what you want in a close series. Yesavage carried the pitching side with those strikeouts while the lineup produced when it mattered. That combination is why a team in playoff baseball can suddenly feel like the favorite even if the series has swung back and forth.
The significance of ending a long title drought hangs over everything when a franchise gets this close to a World Series crown. Toronto hasn’t claimed a championship since 1993, so the stakes are as real as they get for players and fans alike. Moments like opening the game with back-to-back homers and seeing a rookie dominate with strikeouts become the highlights replayed for years if the club closes it out.
Los Angeles managed a lone run in the game, but it wasn’t enough to blunt Toronto’s momentum or Yesavage’s dominance. When a pitcher racks up double-digit strikeouts in this setting, it forces opponents to take a hard look at adjustments and personnel matchups for the next game. The Dodgers will need to regroup quickly because the series now tilts toward the Blue Jays’ side.
Looking ahead, one win stands between Toronto and the title, and that final step often demands the same mix of nerve and execution we saw in Game 5. Veterans and rookies alike will feel the pressure, but performances like Yesavage’s show that younger players can thrive in big moments. Win or lose, this game will be remembered for a rookie record and an offensive burst that changed the series’ momentum.
