Twins fans were devastated for Louis Varland when he was traded to the Blue Jays this season. A hometown boy to his core, all Varland had known was to play professional baseball for Minnesota. It threw him off guard when he was traded, but it was the best thing could have ever happened to him.
Sometimes leaving home is for the best, and Varland proved it. As the go-to relief option for Blue Jays manager John Schneider this postseason, all eyes were on Varland as he entered the game in the top of the fifth inning in Game 7 against the Dodgers.
The 27-year-old was the first reliever out of the bullpen to replace Max Scherzer, and Varland made history in doing so. Varland broke the record for the most appearances in a single postseason in MLB history with his 15th outing on Saturday night.
ANOTHER RECORD 🚨 Louis Varland has officially made the most appearances in a single postseason in MLB history! pic.twitter.com/SWl76JLJYN
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 2, 2025
Had Varland stayed with the Twins, he would currently be an afterthought. Instead he has become a hero to those rooting against the Dodgers, which doesn't include just Blue Jays fans. Varland allowed a hit to Shohei Ohtani, but left him stranded by getting Will Smith and Freddie Freeman to pop out.
Not bad for a kid from Minnesota.
His final line in Game 7 was 0.2 innings pitched and one hit allowed. For all 15 postseason appearances, he surrendered seven runs across 16.1 innings (3.86 ERA) with 17 strikeouts. Five of those 15 appearances came in the World Series and allowed three runs in five combined frames.
Louis Varland: DEPENDABLE 💯 #WANTITALL pic.twitter.com/Jb9PuCjWTJ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 2, 2025
Prior to the 2025 MLB playoffs, Varland had pitched in just two postseason games. Back in the 2023 Wild Card round as a Twin, Varland recorded two outs and didn't allow a run. He did so against... you guessed it... the Toronto Blue Jays.
Varland is not the only former Twin contributing for the Blue Jays. Entering Game 7, Ty France is 1-for-4 with an RBI in the World Series.
But, the sole focus is on the legend of Louis Varland. He's missed in Minnesota, but him pitching in record-breaking fashion on the television screen in the World Series has made everyone in his home state proud.