Traded Twins reliever on brink of postseason history with Blue Jays in World Series

Traded Twins reliever Louis Varland is on the verge of setting a record for most pitching appearances in a single postseason as he looks to help Blue Jays beat Dodgers in World Series

After appearing in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 5-1 World Series Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, righty reliever Louis Varland has only three more appearances to make during the Fall Classic to tie the all-time MLB record for pitching appearances (14) in a single postseason.

If anyone had told Varland three months ago that he was about to make postseason history with the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, the hard-throwing bullpen arm probably would have given them a funny look. When the Twins traded Varland, along with first baseman Ty France, to the Blue Jays in exchange for lefty pitcher Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden, the Minnesota native was shocked. Of course, before Varland was traded, the Twins were already dealing Carlos Correa, almost the entire bullpen and more, to other teams. However, with Varland still in control for five more years, most people assumed he would remain a twin, especially since he is a hometown kid. Varland probably misses aspects of playing for his youth team, but pitching in the World Series isn’t that bad either.

While Varland has been Toronto’s bullpen arm of choice this postseason, things haven’t been easy for the righty reliever. His first two outings were stellar, as he allowed zero earned runs over 1 2/3 innings against the Yankees in ALDS Games 1 and 2. He then gave up two huge home runs to Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm in ALDS Game 3, but bounced back with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to open ALDS Game 4, which Toronto ultimately won to advance to the ALCS.

The ALCS went mostly well for Varland, as he allowed just one earned run on a three-run homer to old friend Jorge Polanco in seven innings over six games. Varland struggled again in his first World Series appearance, giving up two earned runs in 2/3 of an inning in Game 2 on Saturday.

Varland will look to help the Blue Jays regain the series lead against the Dodgers in World Series Game 3, which begins Monday at 7:00 PM CST at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.