The Toronto Blue Jays may have taken down their biggest rivals, from Boston to New York, but now comes the real test—the ALCS. The pressure is immense, and one of the biggest question marks going in is their pitching! And at the center of everyone’s attention is none other than 22-year-old rookie Trey Yesavage. 

Here is the thing—Toronto’s pitching staff has been a mix of dominance and disarray against the New York Yankees. They had started the series strong, all thanks to Kevin Gausman and Yesavage, but they ended up closing things out with a bullpen game. It was a gutsy move, but luckily it worked. But it also exposed a big red flag- The Jays only carried three starters in the ALDS, and their current lineup won’t cut it in a best-of-seven series.

Now, as they prep for the next round, the biggest question is whether they can survive another deep playoff run without a full and reliable rotation. As per reports, it will be Gausman and Yesavage leading things off again.

Shane Bieber will also get a chance despite his obvious struggles in Game 3. But behind the scenes, there is growing uncertainty. For now, the team will rely heavily on Yesavage and not have a premier ace. ESPN’s Castillo summed it best, saying, “Asking a rookie with four major league starts to continue dominating deep into October is a lot, but the Blue Jays lack that clear premier ace. Yesavage has the potential to supply it. Not only is his stuff good enough, but he’s different enough to flummox even the most experienced hitters. His release point and arm angle are among the highest in baseball, making his fastball-splitter combination especially difficult to solve.”  

His high-release fastball and splitter combo have baffled even the seasoned hitters. Blue Jays legend Pat Hentgen also compared him to Juan Guzman and praised that unique arm slot, which gives his pitches a late but devastating movement. But even then, there is no denying that given Toronto’s other aces flattered, the pressure on Trey Yesavage is immense. He’s gone from Low A ball to ALCS in a single year and is now carrying the hopes of a franchise that’s starved for a WS return.

To lessen the burden, Chris Bassitt, who missed the ALDS due to a lingering back issue, could be added back to the roster. This could give Toronto the extra arm they desperately need, and this is important because the Jays know that they can’t keep running on a three-man setup and expect to survive against the elite ALCS competition. But even if he is added, make no mistake, even though they have a few days to finalize the roster, the fate of the Blue Jays’ October run might be resting on the rookie man’s right arm.

The one Blue Jay Toronto needs—and two they can do without for ALCS

There is no doubt that the Toronto Blue Jays made a statement in the ALDS by the sheer way they took down the New York Yankees. Everything seemed to click; the bats were live, the pitching was sharp, and the energy screamed—magic. So obviously, you would think, why mess with the crew when everything is great? But well. John Schneider and his team might want to make some tweaks before the ALCS begins.

First off, there is one name who needs to be back, and it’s Bo Bichette. The Blue Jays’ shortstop is more than just an anime; he is the heartbeat of the offense. If he is healthy enough to make a return, then the lineup would be unstoppable. His season numbers speak a lot: a .311 average, 44 doubles, 18 homers, and 94 RBIs in 139 games. He has grown into one of the league’s most reliable hitters. Simply put, Jays feels different in the best way possible when he is in the mix.

The Jays now rely heavily on him as their starting hitter. Reliever Justin Bruihl didn’t exactly perform well in whatever limited action he had in the ALDS. His one outing against the Yankees went south, too—two runs, three hits, and only one out. His season numbers are brutal too—5.27 ERA, 1.90 WHIP. So, right now, he is more a liability than an asset.

Then there is Max Scherzer. Yes, the same one who is known to be a future Hall of Famer. His track record is great, but now at 41 years old, his time might be done. How else can one explain a saddening 9.00 that doesn’t inspire confidence, does it? Especially when you are to face the power-hitting Mariners. Even his future with the franchise is in doubt right now.