Published on: October 6, 2025, 11:24h.
Updated on: October 6, 2025, 11:28h.
- Blue Jays soar with 5 home runs, sealing a decisive 13-7 victory, and establish a strong 2-0 lead in the ALDS against the Yankees.
- Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage breaks the team playoff record with 11 strikeouts.
- Yankees emerge as betting favorites for Game 3 in New York tomorrow night.
Canada’s Rogers Communications/Sportsnet promotional machine is unparalleled: it takes an incredibly talented young baseball player, infuses them with extensive media attention, and allows their potential to flourish.
A New Star is Born
This is the dynamic in Toronto. Witnessing the overwhelming admiration at Rogers Centre last night after Game 2 of the American League Division Series reminded me of just that. The Blue Jays have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series against the New York Yankees, fueled by a powerful 13-7 win.
The standout moment, aside from Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s 415-foot grand slam in the 4th inning that electrified a crowd of over 44,000, was the impressive performance of 22-year-old starting pitcher Trey Yesavage, who delivered 5.1 innings with 11 strikeouts, a playoff record for the Blue Jays.
Betting Trends on the Radar
This morning, Yesavage is the buzz in baseball, and rightly so. Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, during the Fox post-game show, expressed his astonishment at Yesavage’s splitter, remarking he was thankful he had retired. It appears a new baseball sensation has emerged, reminiscent of rookie Cam Schlittler’s rise for the Yankees last week in their wild card series triumph over the Red Sox.
Yesavage has also become the latest sensation for a sports giant in Canada, Rogers Communications. Rogers dominates the sports landscape here, owning teams like the Jays, NHL’s Leafs, NBA’s Raptors, and Major League Soccer’s TFC, along with the baseball stadium and national television broadcasting rights. They are heavily investing in stadium renovations, transforming it into a vibrant social hub.
The Rogers content team is pushed to promote excitement, and with Yesavage, they have a prime asset.
Yankees Face Challenges
Bookmakers are also aware of the betting patterns.
As Phill Gray, former Head of Trading Operations at Sports Interaction, stated to Casino.org, Canadian bettors are emotionally tied to their local teams. Sportsbooks here are bracing for a significant potential liability that could reach seven figures for the Jays this season as they head into Game 3 under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx tomorrow, Gray explained.
“Canadian-facing sportsbooks face immense challenges every season for NHL/NBA/MLB,” he noted. “Teams like the Leafs, Oilers, Raptors, and Jays draw overwhelming local support every night, including in future bets, regardless of pricing. This often leads to either a windfall or a considerable loss.”
Futures Impacted
“The Blue Jays’ consistent regular-season victories significantly affect betting on a game-by-game basis. Futures betting is now critical. With 94 wins, the Jays surpassed their initial projected total of 79.5, leading to substantial losses as the ‘over’ was highly favored. Starting at odds around +900 to win the AL East presented an even larger liability from the outset, marked by a lucrative payout.”
Alek Manoah once found himself in a similar position as Yesavage now does. In his rookie year with the Jays in 2021, Manoah went 9-2, followed by a 16-7 record in 2022, emerging as a promising star, starting in the AL All-Star game and placing third in Cy Young voting.
Then came the Rogers Sportsnet promotional wave, overflowing with feature stories and enthusiasm, designed to drive viewer engagement and fill seats.
Yankees to Play as Favorites in Game 3
Manoah, opening day starter for the Jays in 2023, experienced a downturn, leading to a demotion to rookie ball by June to regain form, a brief return to the major leagues in July, and then an option to Triple-A. His season ended abruptly in June with elbow surgery.
While the overwhelming hype surrounding Manoah’s career isn’t solely to blame for his decline, his release by the organization in September surprised many, only for him to be picked up by the Braves. Something significant occurred during his time in Toronto, resulting in a rapid downturn.
Rodon vs. Bieber in the Bronx
A promotional environment such as that in Toronto can be challenging for young prospects unless they have a solid support system.
Last night’s game transcended being just an MLB playoff series win. It was a vibrant display of pride, channeling sentiments towards the U.S., notably represented by the New York Yankees, a quintessential American sports organization.
Canadian Sportsbooks Expect Heavy Action
Seeing Yesavage surrounded by major league pitching veterans, including likely Hall of Famers like Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Shane Bieber, and Kevin Gausman, offers hope. With guidance from such experienced players, he might navigate the influences of the Rogers entertainment empire effectively.
Lucky for the Yankees, they won’t face the rookie again, but it’s still a daunting task ahead. The Blue Jays are set to start Shane Bieber against the Yankees’ Carlos Rodon, a former Cy Young Award recipient.
This morning, the betting momentum is shifting towards the Yankees, according to ESPN BET, with the Yankees at -150 on the moneyline and the Blue Jays at +125. So far, 42.7% of bets and 55.3% of handle support the Yankees ML, while 58.8% of bets and 54% of handle favor the Jays +1.5. The Jays currently possess the second-best odds to win the World Series at ESPN BET, standing at +325, with the Dodgers at +250.
At DraftKings for Game 3, the odds show the Jays at +122, and the Yankees at -149.