The Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Seattle Mariners in game seven of the ALCS, punching their ticket to the 2025 World Series.
Game six of the ALCS made for a dramatic game of baseball with the highest stakes for both teams involved. Seattle had just come off a crucial game five win at their home stadium, capped off by a Blue Jays meltdown that saw manager John Schneider pull the plug on starting pitcher Kevin Gausman 5.2 innings into the game, much to the dismay of Blue Jays fans.
As any smart team would do, the Jays had to leave game five in the past and focus on the next two games. However, Schneider told the media about his short-sighted philosophy to stay ready, one game at a time.
“We’re not looking to win two games in a row, we’re looking to win one,” said Schneider.
Trey Yesavage got the start in game six for the Jays, coming off a game two start in this same series, where he struggled at home, allowing five earned runs in just four innings pitched. If Toronto has proven one thing this season, however, they don’t dwell on the negatives. Yesavage came into game six locked in. From the jump, he was locating his fastball and generating a ton of swing and miss from Seattle batters.
Things were smooth sailing until the third inning, when it started going south for the Jays, when the Mariners would load the bases with just one out and Cal Raleigh at the dish. Yesavage would get Raleigh to ground out as the defence finished off a beautiful double play to end the inning, followed by a primal roar from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base.
That double play was just one of many huge stops the Toronto defence racked up over the course of the game. Just that next inning, the Jays would be in the same situation, turning a double play with the bases loaded, this time followed by some emotion on the mound from Yesavage.
He would finish the game after 5.2 innings and seven strikeouts, receiving a raucous ovation from the Rogers Centre crowd.
Despite some restless fans in attendance and notable booing while Schneider called to the bullpen after pulling Yesavage, the Jays’ relievers did a job. Louis Varland would replace the starter, giving up a hit and nothing else, while Jeff Hoffman would pitch the final two innings, closing it out.
On the flip side, the Mariners came up with some defensive mistakes that ended up costing them some crucial runs, including a bobbled ball by Julio Rodrigez in centre field and one by Eugenio Suárez at third. Mentally, Seattle didn’t seem to have it going all night. Pitcher Logan Gilbert struggled mightily, throwing just four innings and allowing four earned runs. Gilbert had been one of the best right-handed pitchers all season; however, the Blue Jays had become a thorn in his side each time they faced him, and it was no different in game six.
As for the Blue Jays’ offence, it wasn’t a hitting clinic like fans are used to seeing in wins, but it was a solid performance that had a little bit of everything sprinkled in. Two home runs (Guerrero Jr. & Addison Barger), a single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa & Barger and a wild pitch scoring Guerrero. 11 hits total for the Jays would be enough to secure a 6-2 win, propelling them to a coveted game seven.
The atmosphere of game seven in Toronto couldn’t have been more electric. Both teams rolled out the same starting lineups as the prior game, while Shane Bieber and George Kirby took their respective mounds.
Seattle had things rolling from the get-go, led by a Josh Naylor single that put them up 1-0 just minutes into the game. It didn’t take long for the Jays to answer as Dalton Varsho singled to shallow centre field to tie the game up just a half inning later.
A pair of home runs from Rodrigez and Cal Raleigh in the third and fifth innings put the Mariners up two, as the Jays’ World Series hopes seemed to be running on borrowed time heading into the bottom of the seventh.
That inning, Barger and Kiner-Falefa would both reach base, setting up one of the greatest postseason players of all time for what is sure to be one of the most iconic moments in Toronto sports history.
With two on and one out, George Springer stepped up to the plate with the entire country of Canada behind him. Two pitches later, he delivered a towering home run that sent shockwaves through Rogers Centre, giving the Blue Jays a one-run lead. Fans lost their minds and the Blue Jays dugout went ballistic, all while Springer was jumping down the first base line, not knowing he had just sent his team to their first World Series in 32 years.
The top of the ninth rolled around and all eyes were on Jeff Hoffman. A player who had been through so many ups and downs this season, Hoffman had his chance to make all the negative discourse surrounding his name go away with just one inning. It didn’t take long for the former all-star to do what he’s done over his career: close games. One, two, three and that was the ball game. Hoffman allowed zero base runners, leaving Raleigh on deck after his final out on Rodrigez, sending the Blue Jays players running out to the field to embrace what was a legendary moment.
Before the champagne popped, the Jays team met on the infield for some words from players and to hand out the ALCS M.V.P. trophy. To nobody’s surprise, Guerrero Jr. was awarded the trophy, highlighting his historic ALCS performance that included three home runs while going 10 for 26 at the plate with countless intentional walks, earning the respect of opposing manager Dan Wilson.
For Vladdy, this meant more than just making it to the World Series. “I want to win a ring and give it to my dad,” he said. Winning in Toronto has always been the goal for the Jays leader, and after years of disappointment, he finally has the chance to bring home a title. “I’m going to give all I have for the city. I’m going to give all I have for the fans,” said Guerrero.