The Jays’ hopes of staying alive in the ALCS now depend on their star, Trey Yesavage, after their Game 5 loss to the Mariners. The Mariners’ late surge in Game 5, guided by Cal Raleigh’s game-tying homer and Eugenio Suárez’s elite slam, changed the momentum of the game. Game 6 now will be a must-win game for the Jays, and their starter’s performance could decide their destiny in the season.

So, the point of discussion is that Yesavage is just 22. And at this early stage, he is now facing the most intense force that limited pitchers have ever experienced. As per Gabe Lacques of USA Today, “He climbed every rung on the ladder to get here. By now, most of his peers have wrapped up instructional leagues or are getting a last gasp of summer in the Arizona Fall League. Yesavage will pitch in front of 45,000 fans and a massive North American viewing audience. Rare, and hopefully for him, not ephemeral.” For Yesavage, this is a defining test.

After an elite postseason debut against the Yankees with 11 strikeouts and 5⅓ no-hit innings, Yesavage’s second outing was tough, in which the star allowed five runs in four innings at the period of Game 2, and that too against the Mariners. Now, with the Jays are at a risky situation, the star needs to rediscover his early power under pressure.

However, Yesavage also knows what is at stake. He said, “Obviously, this has been the longest I’ve thrown. But the organization monitored my pitch count and innings, so I’m not as fatigued as I would be if that wasn’t the case. So I’m in a very good spot where I’m at.” The star’s calm narrative highlights his maturity, and it is providing the Jays a glimmer of hope.

For John Schneider’s team, this is related to more than survival. It is related to faith in the 22-year-old who has defied hope. As Schneider highlighted, “He’s pitched in a lot of big games… we’ve got all the confidence in the world that he’ll have the right mindset”. Yesavage will face 45,000 fans, and with such a large number watching and the season on the risk, the star has the scope to prove his power.

Still, as the Blue Jays turn to their rookie arm with their season on the line, the Mariners are entrusting a known face with the scope to seal history.

Logan Gilbert set to anchor Mariners historic push in ALCS Game

Dan Wilson confirmed that Logan Gilbert will enter the field in Game 6 and start the game, an approach that mixes trust, routine, and redemption. The star struggled in Game 2 and lasted just three innings. After that, he surrendered three runs against the Jays, loaded with a lineup identified for limiting strikeouts. Gilbert’s command specifically on his slider and fastball wavered, keeping the star from unleashing Gilbert’s devastating splitter. Yet, pressure could have played a vital role, as Gilbert had thrown 34 pitches in relief just some days ago after his 15-inning elite performance in the ALDS.

So, with full rest, he is going to enter the field. A situation-based pitcher and a star who thrives on consistency, Gilbert is loaded with confidence. “We’re kind of creatures of habit,” he said. “It’s nice being back in the normal routine and having some familiarity”, Logan Gilbert added. The manager also echoed the same confidence and called Gilbert “a guy that just wants the ball, wants to challenge you.” For the start, who once shared minor-league rooms with Cal Raleigh, the tone of pitching in a powerful clincher is not lost, and this is the time every pitcher dreams of reaching.

As the series moves forward, everyone will look at Gilbert and Trey Yesavage to deliver the mind of command that has defined their career. The Mariners’ hope in the composed right-hander highlights the team’s confidence, and the Jays’ hope in Yesavage highlights their gamble-taking thought process.