Chances are, if you’ve watched a Toronto Blue Jays post-season game this October, you’ve seen Louis Varland pitch.
By entering Game 6 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, Varland tied an MLB playoff record for appearances with 14.
Varland entered in the seventh inning in relief of starter Kevin Gausman, who struck out eight in his second start of the World Series.
Through his first 13 outings of this post-season, Varland has posted a 4.50 ERA and struck out 16 batters in 14 innings.
He now shares the record with Brandon Morrow (2017, Dodgers) and Paul Assenmacher (1997, Cleveland), who both helped their teams reach the World Series.
The Blue Jays acquired Varland from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, alongside infielder Ty France, for outfielder Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendry Rojas.
In 23.2 regular-season innings with Toronto, the 27-year-old right-hander carried a 4.94 ERA and struck out 28.
