Using Kevin Gausman in relief in ALCS Game 7 against the Mariners gave the Jays their first tough rotation call of the postseason in Game 1 of the World Series: pitch Gausman, the Game 1 starter in both the ALDS and ALCS, on three days’ rest or give 22-year-old Trey Yesavage his first traditional start on four days’ rest.
While four days’ rest has been the norm for MLB starters for decades, some teams shy away from it now, particularly with their youngest pitchers. Yesavage, who is in his first pro season after typically starting once per week in college, worked a few times on four days’ rest in the minors, but he never threw more than 73 pitches on any of those occasions. He technically did make his first MLB start on four days’ rest, but the Jays set him up for that by having him throw just 34 pitches over three innings in his final Triple-A outing. His postseason starts thus far have come on seven, seven and five days’ rest, respectively.
What’s more, the Game 1 assignment also leaves Yesavage due to start Game 5 on four days’ rest. The Jays surely would have preferred to use him in Games 2 and 6, which would have put him on five days’ rest because of off days after Games 2 and 5. Now it’s Gausman, who will go in Game 2, who will benefit from the little extra time off.
Fortunately, Yesavage, who entered tonight having thrown 34 more innings this year than he did in his final season at East Carolina, hasn’t shown any sign of fatigue just yet.