The moment that baseball fans were waiting for all year is finally here—the World Series. Sure, it was not the matchup many expected back in April, but it’s shaping up to be one for the ages. The defending champion LA Dodgers, full of star power, will be facing off against the Toronto Blue Jays, a team that has clawed through a grueling seven-game series that had fans on the edge to reach here.

But all of Toronto’s effort came with a reward—home-field advantage. And for a team that feeds off energy like they do, this is huge. Still, the buzz around this matchup is not just about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his monster bat or Springer and his postseason spark. It’s also not just about Ohtani and his heroics. It’s also about Roki Sasaki and the burning question of how he holds up at the biggest stage.

Sasaki’s story this season has been a rollercoaster. The 23-year-old arrived in LA with a huge hype, a phenom from Japan who could touch 100 mph without breaking a sweat. But instead of dominating at first, he stumbled early, and he struggled with command and his composure. Then came his shoulder injury in May, which derailed his progress. But just when it looked like his season might be lost, something else happened- a miracle!

Sasaki made a comeback, and how! He got back his velocity and his swag. He posted a 1.13 ERA in seven October outings across eight innings. To top it off, he became the first pitcher ever to earn his first three career saves in the postseason—since that stat even became official back in 1969. He was so good that he even had his own entrance song, “Báilalo Rocky.” But whilst all that is great, a certain MLB manager told ESPN’s Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers a harsh truth—”Roki [Sasaki] is a big deal for the Dodgers. They’ve got problems if he isn’t effective.”

And this is true, because if Sasaki is not at his best, LA could be in big trouble. Remember that the Blue Jays are red hot, and sure, they didn’t get a week to rest or rust, whichever way one would like to take it—they are coming for that crown. The Jays waited for 32 years for this exact moment, and also maybe for a little revenge for the Ohtani and Sasaki snub. So, they are not letting anything pass by them easily.

Vladimir Guerrero is slugging everything in sight, and Springer has rediscovered his postseason magic. And Toronto has the home-field advantage locked in for the first two games. And given how winning they have been at their home ground, the Jays could take the first two games at home. Plus, history says they have a 76% shot at winning it all. The Dodgers may have the pedigree, but the Jays have the pulse and right now the zeal to stop LA from back-to-back titles. Plus, it’s not just Sasaki they have to worry about.

Trey Yesavage’s rise from Blue Jays’ rookie to World Series spotlight

Trey Yesavage might have started the season just hoping for a taste of the big league—and now he is already one of the brightest young stars on baseball’s biggest stage. The 22-year-old right-hander was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays just last year out of East Carolina University and has blasted through the minors and landed right in the heart of the World Series spotlight.

Barely a month ago, Yesavage was pitching for Triple-A Buffalo, and now he is going to help the Jays get their first taste of a ring after 1993. But if you think that he would be all nervy, being completely new to this and facing the reigning World Series champion, you are so wrong. Talking like a veteran twice your age, Yesavage said. “You’ve got to treat it like you’re in control.” And control for sure, he has had.

That splitter of his, thrown from a high release point, makes it almost unhittable. It helped him strike out 11 batters in 5⅓ hitless innings during the Division Series. Even the Jays manager, John Schneider, couldn’t help but sing his laurels, saying, “It’s remarkable. You’re talking about a big stage—and he’s not backing down.” His poise in dealing with the pressures has also made him a fan favorite. He has shut down elite hitters, escaped bases-loaded jams, and done it all with a veteran-like calm when he is only a rookie. His postseason wins already outnumber the ones he had in Double-A and Triple-A combined. And now he is ready to face Ohtani and Co. and usher in the championship win for the team.