Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider nearly struggled to put into words what he’d witnessed from Trey Yesavage on the mound. Understandably so! In fact, when Schneider walked out to pull the rookie out in the sixth, the crowd erupted with a relentless mix of boos and cheers. They didn’t want it to end; if anything, the raucous crowd only wanted more of him. Not the Yankees, though! Their pregame strategy of getting to Yesavage early only backfired spectacularly.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, Yankees hitting coach James Rowson spoke to YES Network about how the Yankees’ offense intends to challenge the 22-year-old Blue Jays rookie. And let’s just say his plan didn’t age well. “I think you just have to, you know, take every hit back for what it’s worth. Obviously, at the beginning of the game, there’ll be some guys getting a look and seeing what it looks like. But at the same time, you know, at this level, everyone’s done their homework.” He said.

Further, he added, “Everyone’s prepared. Everyone’s watched some videos. So, our guys will be ready to go when this thing starts.” Despite the preparation Rowson insisted on, the rookie ended up striking out 11 Yankees over 5 1/3 innings of no-hit ball.

All Trey Yesavage required was fewer than four innings to beat the Blue Jays’ franchise record for postseason strikeouts. The Yankees prepped certainly more than enough to take on him, but it wasn’t enough, given how his pitches plummet from the sky and disappear.

Trey Yesavage is currently only the second-youngest pitcher in major league history to strike out 10 or more in a postseason start. “This has got to be cloud nine. I couldn’t imagine a better feeling right now.” He said after the big night.

It had barely been a few days since the Blue Jays informed Trey Yesavage that he’d be making this start on Sunday. That left Chris Bassitt and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer off the ALDS Game 2 roster. Now for Game 3, we’re again in for something legendary.

The pressure ramps up even more for Yankees-Blue Jays ALDS Game 3

The Toronto Blue Jays are only one win away from their first American League Championship Series appearance in nearly ten years. Meanwhile, the Yankees, who have already surrendered the first two games in Toronto, are now in a must-win situation.

Over this weekend, the Blue Jays have outscored them 23-8 at Rogers Centre, and now the Yankees are 0-2 in the best-of-five ALDS. Apparently, the Blue Jays chose to use Trey Yesavage in Game 2 and Shane Bieber in Game 3 because, as it could be a “hostile environment” at Yankee Stadium for the young Tresavage, as manager John Schneider put it.

Bieber currently holds a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, and it was arguably the Blue Jays’ biggest splash at the time of the trade deadline. The former AL Cy Young Award winner will take the ball on Tuesday. He bounced back recently from Tommy John surgery, and the Bronx will mark his biggest test yet.

Bieber has taken the mound before in October baseball. He had struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball in Game 2 of the 2022 ALDS. So, perhaps, he will do fine on Tuesday! The Yankees, on the other hand, are also confident for Game 3.

With the home-field advantage, manager Aaron Boone said, “I know we’ll show up and be ready to go expecting to win Tuesday night.” Against Bieber, the Yankees will be sending Carlos Rodon, holding an 18-9 record with a 2.61 ERA.

Who do you think will win Game 3? Can the Yankees take the series to Game 4? Or will the Blue Jays wrap it up in the Big Apple? Share your predictions in the comments.