Extra Innings by Joe Boesch

The Blue Jays did it again last night with exceptional pitching from rookie Trey Yesavage, who had 12 strikeouts in a 6-1 win against the Dodgers. The Blue Jays have a 3-2 lead in the World Series and will look to close it out in Toronto for the Fall Classic title. With his lights-out game last night, Yesavage now has his own Topps Now card, and here's what it says about him: Trey Yesavage's rise in MLB elevated to another level, pitching a beauty to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-1 Game 5 win. The 22-year-old hurler recorded a dozen strikeouts over seven innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yesavage's 12 punchouts are the most by a first-year player in a World Series game. His 12-strikeout, no-walk start was also a Fall Classic first. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

Vladdy continues to show why he and the Blue Jays belong in the World Series, as he again powered the Jays to a win against the Dodgers, as they are all tied at two games apiece. Don't write the Jays off, as they are that good and are giving the Dodgers a run for their money. Here's the narrative on the back of Vladdy's Topps Now card: The World Series will head back to Toronto for at least one more game thanks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who ignited the Blue Jays 6-2 Game 4 win. "Vladdy" took Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani deep with a two-run shot in the third frame. Guerrero's blast not only helped even up the Fall Classic, but it also set the club's all-time record for Postseason homers. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

He did it again. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched another complete game this season in game two of the World Series, and what a gem it was. He not only stunned the Blue Jays but also the fans by his exceptional pitching, and with that comes another Topps Now card. Here's the narrative on the back of his card: Not only did Yoshinobu Yamamoto carry the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-1 Game 2 win by going the distance, but he also joined franchise royalty in the process. Yamamoto becomes the first Dodgers pitcher since Orel Hershiser to fire back-to-back postseason complete games. Hershiser did so in the 1988 World Series, one of which being a complete-game shutout. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

This is the iconic World Series that every baseball fan is watching, with the Dodgers tying the series 1-1 against the Blue Jays as the Fall Classic is underway in two different countries, no pun intended. Look for Vlad Jr. and Shohei to guide their teams, respectively, as they are two of the most prominent to ever play the game. As it's been in most of the baseball stories I write, the Topps Now card series has been an inspiration, and here's their card narrative that sums it up: Leading their clubs to the 2025 World Series as the NLCS and ALCS MVP Award winners Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are poised to create fireworks. Both stars headline the first-ever Fall Classic between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. Ohtani will try to help the Dodgers repeat, while Guerrero aims to bring his team its first title since 1993. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

Donnie Baseball has finally made it to the Fall Classic. After a storied career as a player and manager, the Blue Jays bench coach finally made it. With that, he also gets his own Topps Now card with his story on the back stating: As the Toronto Blue Jays celebrated their World Series berth after a thrilling 4-3 ALCS Game 7 win over Seattle, much credit went to bench coach Don Mattingly. The former player and manager has helped spark Toronto's offensive resurgence since joining the franchise three seasons ago. Mattingly reaches the Fall Classic for the first time after more than 40 years in MLB. Tip of the cap to Mattingly; finally his dream came true. Until then, see you at the World Series. — Joe Boesch 

Being a baseball writer, you live baseball 24 x 7 and are sometimes simply amazed by some of the players and their athletic abilities they display. One player, and one of the best in MLB, is Shohei Ohtani. Simply one of the best, and as I watch him in the playoffs, I'm just amazed at what he does either pitching, batting, or playing the field. For his amazing play, here's his Topps Now card and what the back of his card says about him: Shohei Ohtani delivered a postseason performance for the ages. The two-way star tossed six shutout innings with ten strikeouts and also crushed three homers, carrying the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-1 win and NLCS sweep over Milwaukee.  Heading back to the World Series, Ohtani became the first player ever with a multi-longball effort as a pitcher in a postseason game. So who's your team to win the Fall Classic? I know my team.  Until then, see you at the Fall Classic. — Joe Boesch 

If you're watching the NLCS and saying to yourself that the Dodgers are that good, yes, you're correct—they are that good. With Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching a complete game, it's just another reason to know the Dodgers are the team to beat. With that, here's what Yamamoto's Topps Now card says: Yoshinobu Yamamoto was firing on all cylinders, pitching his way into history with a complete game. The 27-year-old gave the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen the night off, striking out seven batters in a 5-1 NLCS Game 2 win over Milwaukee. Yamamoto is the first Japanese hurler ever with a postseason complete game, and it's the team's first such effort since 2004 (Jose Lima). Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

The Seattle Mariners are on a roll, as they have gone up to a 2-0 game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS. Led by Cal Raleigh, who during the regular season hit 60 home runs, falling two short of Aaron Judge and his 62 home run record. Raleigh is guiding the Mariners, and on his recent Topps Now card it says: Cal Raleigh proved to be Seattle's difference-maker in Game 1 of the ALCS against Toronto. The Mariners star backstop crushed a game-tying sixth-inning blast in an eventual 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Raleigh has nine homers in 14 career games at Rogers Centre, the most by any player in their first 14 games at the ballpark during the regular season and postseason combined. Until then, see you at the park. — Joe Boesch 

The Seattle Mariners are riding right into the ALCS with the help of Ken Griffey, Jr. They were able to get the best of the Tigers in an ALDS that was a nail-biter at times. Who, what better than Griffey to get the Mariners started with an official Topps Now card? Here's the story printed on the back of his Topps Now card: It was only fitting that Ken Griffey Jr. be on hand to witness a moment 24 years in the making. "Junior" riled up the crowd before Seattle's 3-2 walk-off win over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the ALDS, a 15-inning instant classic that will send the Mariners to their first ALCS since 2001. Griffey, of course, scored the game-winning run on "The Double" in the 1995 ALDS. Until then, see you at the ALCS. — Joe Boesch