Toronto Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland is on the brink of setting a record for the most pitching appearances in a single postseason. Following his recent outing in Game 2 of the World Series, where the Blue Jays fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1, Varland needs just three more appearances to tie the all-time MLB record of 14 postseason appearances.
Varland’s journey to this point has been unexpected. Just three months ago, he would have been surprised to learn that he would be making a notable impact in the postseason with Toronto. The right-hander was traded from the Minnesota Twins, where he had been seen as a likely long-term player, to the Blue Jays alongside first baseman Ty France. In return, the Twins received left-handed pitching prospect Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden. Despite his ties to Minnesota, Varland is making the most of his opportunity on a much larger stage.
In the postseason, Varland has emerged as a key figure in Toronto’s bullpen, starting strong with zero earned runs through his first two appearances against the Yankees in the ALDS. However, he faced challenges in subsequent games, giving up home runs to big hitters like Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm in ALDS Game 3. After a resilient comeback in ALDS Game 4, Varland continued to demonstrate his capability, allowing just one earned run over six games in the ALCS.
Despite some struggles, including allowing two earned runs in his first World Series appearance, Varland remains focused on helping the Blue Jays regain momentum in the series. The next challenge awaits as the Blue Jays gear up to face the Dodgers in Game 3, set to start at 7:00 p.m. CST on Monday at Dodger Stadium.
Varland’s drive and determination embody the spirit of postseason baseball, and fans are hopeful that he can guide the Blue Jays to victory as they chase their championship dreams.