Yesavage wants to recapture ‘electric’ Rogers Centre feeling

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Looking back at my Start of Game 2 of the American League Division Series Against the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays rookie phenom Trey Yesavage “couldn't have done better.”

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“Being able to go on the field … the pitching game and the offense and just being able to go out there and win and lead the series 2-0 was an amazing feeling,” Yesavage, 22, said during Sunday's pregame news conference at Rogers Center after being named the starter for Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. “You could feel it there.”

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“Going into tomorrow (Monday), I'll try not to put too much pressure on myself. Just be the pitcher I've always been and trust my defense, trust my catcher, trust my offense.”

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Yesavage walked 11 batters in 5 1/3 hitless innings on Oct. 5 as Toronto beat the Yankees 13-7 in Game 2 of the ALDS. The Blue Jays won the series 3-1 after defeating New York on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Teammate Addison Barger called Yesavage's ascending to the big leagues is “pretty special.”

After the beginning of the year in the village.Ingle-A Dunedin, Yesavage played at all four minor league levels before joining the Blue Jays in late September, going 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in three starts.

“To do what he did in the regular season and the Division Series, it's … a little surreal, but that's what he was able to do and it was amazing to watch,” Barger said.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he went with Yesavage to Game 2 because he would be able to perform in front of the home crowd on Monday night.

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“Watching how unique his skills can be, especially against teams that haven’t seen him, his performance has been pretty darn good,” Schneider said. “It was a pretty easy choice, just watching how he carries himself and what he does on the mound.”

Barger said he expects the fans at the Rogers Center to help give the team an edge.

“They’re very loud, you know,” he said of the Toronto crowd. “We can feel it every pitch. The regular season, it's up and down… But he's been pretty consistently energetic (in the postseason). That's the biggest difference. It's like non-stop, all nine innings, every pitch, a lot of energy.”

Outfielder Miles Straw, who watched the Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers in Marathon Game 5 on Friday night/Saturday morning with your teammate Davis Schneider, said the team is “just as excited” as the fans that the Blue Jays are returning to the ALCS for the first time in nearly a decade.

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“We look forward to supporting the city and making more than just ALCS … we are excited and ready for this opportunity,” he said.

Game 1 starter Kevin Gausman said it was “a lot of fun” playing in front of a sold-out Rogers Center for most of this season.

“We've really enjoyed playing at home, especially the last two months. We feel the love when we play here.” the right-hander told reporters at an earlier news conference.

Schneider added that the fans made the Rogers Center “a difficult place for (opposing teams) to come and play.”

“It’s easy for guys to get up and play here,” Schneider said, “and I think it’s a tough place to come and play for the opposing team.”

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“THE PEOPLE ARE ATTACKED”

Yesavage began his press conference on Sunday by showing his family was abused after his pitch against the Yankees.

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“It’s sad to see people close to me being attacked because of my performances on the field,” Yesavage said. “These people did nothing to justify my actions being viewed negatively, whether it was my parents, my brothers, my girlfriend, my family. It's just very sad.”

Yesavage did not specify what happened, but Schneider praised him for speaking out.

“I give him a lot of credit,” Schneider said. “Obviously this is new to him, but (he's) standing up for the people close to him… I commend him for saying what he said and for having the support of the people who love and support him.”

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