Trey Yesavage shines as Blue Jays force Game 7 in ALCS

When Trey Yesavage, the 22‑year‑old right‑hander for the Toronto Blue Jays, took the ball on October 19, 2025, at Rogers Centre, the entire stadium seemed to hold its breath. The youngster tossed a six‑inning gem, kept Seattle’s lineup at bay, and forced a winner‑takes‑all Game 7 in the American League Championship Series.

How Yesavage Dominated the Mound

Yesavage’s outing was a masterclass in deception. He fired a season‑high 31 split‑finger fastballs, each one wobbling like a rag‑doll on a string. Those splitters generated ten whiffs, and his slider snatched five more swings‑and‑misses. Of his six strikeouts, five came on the splitter alone, underscoring how that pitch has become his secret weapon.

The right‑hander also etched a quirky record: he turned three consecutive innings into double‑play opportunities. The first two came with the bases loaded – a nightmare scenario for any pitcher – and all three double plays marked the first of his professional career. In the third inning, Seattle loaded the bases with two walks and a single; then Cal Raleigh punched a 101 mph grounder that turned into a 3‑6‑1 double play, ending the danger.

That performance was not a flash in the pan. In the second inning, Yesavage struck out Josh Naylor, Randy Arozarena and Eugenio Suárez in order, a trio that would normally scour the middle of any lineup. The broadcast analysts noted that his “wipe‑out secondary pitches” made the ball feel heavier, forcing hitters to chase.

Offensive Firepower: Guerrero and Barger

While Yesavage was busy shutting the door, the Blue Jays’ offense was busy opening it. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. kicked off the fifth inning with a leadoff home run that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The blast not only stretched the lead to 5‑0 but also put the series‑record‑tying sixth home run of the postseason on his tally, matching the feat of franchise legends Jose Bautista and Joe Carter.

Guerrero’s homer came after an 89‑plate‑appearance drought, making the moment feel almost cinematic. After the swing, he chatted with former greats Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz on FOX Sports, declaring, “I play for this city… I believe in this team.”

Supporting the power display, Addison Barger belted a solo shot and added two RBI singles, rounding out a 5‑2 victory. His third‑inning homer proved decisive, especially as Seattle starter Logan Gilbert stumbled, surrendering five runs (four earned) in just four innings.

Mariners’ Struggles and Manager Dan Wilson’s Views

Seattle entered the game with a reputation for power – 20 of the series’ 25 runs had come via home runs, according to manager Dan Wilson. The 55‑year‑old former catcher admitted pre‑game that the club needed “more of the team‑oriented grinding at‑bats and not just rely on the ball to pop over the fence.” Unfortunately for the Mariners, the double‑plays that Yesavage induced turned that philosophy on its head, crushing momentum in the early innings.

Gilbert, a 27‑year‑old right‑hander who’d posted a respectable 3.45 ERA during the regular season, could not find his groove. His four‑inning trek yielded seven hits and a string of mis‑directioned grounders. The loss extended Seattle’s ALCS woes; they now trail 3‑2 in the series and must win Game 7 on the road.

Historical Context: Blue Jays’ Postseason Resilience

Toronto’s win snapped a four‑game elimination‑loss streak that dated back to Game 5 of the 2016 ALCS against the Cleveland Indians. Since then, the Blue Jays have fallen short in wild‑card rounds to the Tampa Bay Rays (2020), the Mariners (2022) and the Minnesota Twins (2023). This triumph, therefore, feels like a long‑awaited exhale for a franchise that has chased a World Series crown since 1993.

Yesavage’s meteoric rise adds a fresh chapter. In just six major‑league starts – three of them in the postseason – he has already recorded two playoff wins. His 1‑2 regular‑season record belies a poise that many veterans still chase.

Guerrero’s power surge also ties him to the club’s storied past. Joining Bautista and Carter at six postseason homers places him among the most clutch hitters in Blue Jays lore. The combination of a rookie pitcher delivering night‑marathon innings and a veteran slugger finding his rhythm makes for a compelling narrative that could define the 2025 postseason.

What Lies Ahead: Game 7 Preview

Game 7 is set for October 20, 2025, back at Rogers Centre. The winner moves on to the World Series to meet the National League champion, a team still to be decided. If the Blue Jays sustain their current momentum, they will need to lean on Yesavage’s splitter and Guerrero’s power. For Seattle, a resurgence hinges on dialing back the reliance on home runs and finding a way to scrape together contact – a daunting task against a mound that just turned three innings into ground‑ball marathons.

Fans on both sides are bracing for a classic: a 9‑to‑5 showdown, a roller‑coaster of nerves, and the possibility of a new chapter in baseball history.

Key Facts

• Game 6 final score: Blue Jays 5, Mariners 2
• Trey Yesavage threw 31 split‑finger fastballs, 10 whiffs, 5 strikeouts on the splitter.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied the Blue Jays postseason home‑run record with six.
• Seattle’s power‑focused strategy produced 20 of 25 series runs.
• Game 7 scheduled for Oct 20, 2025, at Rogers Centre.