The Toronto Blue Jays concluded their remarkable playoff journey with a narrow defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. The Blue Jays lost the decisive Game 7 by a score of 5-4, denying them their first championship since 1992. The series displayed the Blue Jays’ grit and moxie, which was parenthetized by star turns from various team cornerstones.
Joining the Blue Jays in September, Trey Yesavage quickly emerged as one of the players at the forefront of his team’s playoff success. He proved he could handle the spotlight during the playoffs, when he struck out 12 Dodgers. His electric, dominant Game 5 performance only cranked expectations up with his arrival. Yesavage’s contributions played a significant role in Toronto’s playoff success, helping the team secure its first playoff victory and series win in nine years.
Toronto was just coming off its own impressive run to the World Series. They knocked off the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. Perhaps nothing more characterized the Blue Jays 2024 campaign than their resilience, as they notched an MLB-high 49 come-from-behind wins. After a brutal opening two months, capped by a 13-0 drubbing at the hands of Tampa Bay in late May that left them in fourth place with a 25-27 record. They soon recovered, winning nine of their next ten games and claiming first place by early July.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider reflected on the team’s journey, acknowledging the pain of coming so close to winning it all.
“It will hurt for a few days, a few weeks, when you’re that close.” – John Schneider
That World Series gave us a lifetime of dramatic stories! In a dramatic Game 7, George Springer hit a go-ahead three-run homer. This was just the cherry on top of Springer’s successful reemergence after a down year. Bo Bichette provided the most valuable performance of the series. He clobbered a three-run homer in Game 3, helping to propel Toronto to full-fledged contention.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a steady source of power all October long, anchoring a potent middle of the order. He even crushed a grand slam over the weekend against the Yankees, solidifying his standing as one of the league’s best hitters. Toronto’s lineup proved unproductive offensively through the regular season. They hit their stride at just the right time and finished near the top of the league in a number of statistical categories.
The series was far from an idyllic affair. In Game 7, things devolved into chaos in that fourth inning when Justin Wrobleski plunked Andres Gimenez. The benches cleared, underscoring just how high the stakes of this championship match were.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto became a key addition to the Toronto lineup. He surrendered just one hit over 2 2/3 innings of relief and was named World Series MVP for his brilliant work during the entire postseason. The energy he brought to the mound helped carry the Padres in some of the most pivotal games.
The Dodgers of Los Angeles were no slouches themselves, showing their power across the whole series. The lone Los Angeles blast came on a Max Muncy solo shot in the eighth frame. Then, in the top of the 11th inning, Will Smith blasted a go-ahead solo homer off Shane Bieber, further emphasizing their offensive depth.
Former Blue Jays and World Series ring recipients Paul Molitor and Jack Morris added an exclamation point to the occasion. Their presence gave a festive flair to the ceremonial first pitch at the start of the series, emphasizing the franchise’s deep legacy and its search for a new crown.
