Your Toronto Blue Jays have done it — in stunning fashion no less. That’s right, on a breezy Monday night at Rogers Centre, they defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 of the 2025 American League Championship Series (ALCS), fueled by one of the most electric swings in franchise history. They punched their ticket to the 2025 World Series for the first time since 1993.
Quick Summary
Game 7 of the ALCS: Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3 — Springer’s seventh-inning three-run homer flipped the game. Reuters+1
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named ALCS MVP with three homers and a .385 average in the series. Reuters
Toronto returns to the World Series for the first time since 1993.
They’ll face the Dodgers starting Oct. 24, with home-field advantage and high hopes.
The road ahead is tough — but for one night, the Blue Jays reminded everyone that the postseason is about moments, heart, and belief.
A comeback for the ages
The Seattle Mariners opened Game 7 on the road by taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first—Julio Rodríguez scored on a Josh Naylor single.
The Blue Jays wasted no time responding right away in the bottom of the first as Daulton Varsho singled to drive in George Springer and knot things up at 1-1.
But the Mariners struck again: Rodríguez launched a solo homer in the top of the third to go up 2-1, before Cal Raleigh belted another solo shot in the fifth to make it 3-1.
Touch ’em all George
With the sold out crowd tensed on the edge of their seats, the blue tide turned in the bottom of the seventh. Toronto loaded up the bases with a walk and a single, before George Springer — hobbled by a knee contusion earlier in the series — stepped in and crushed a three-run homer, Joe Carter circa 1993-style, that flipped the script: from 3-1 down to 4-3 up. It was the first time in MLB history that a go-ahead homer came in a Game 7 in the seventh inning or later while trailing by multiple runs.
Reflecting on the moment in his on-field interview after the historic victory, Springer said: “I’m just oh so happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country.”
From there the bullpen closed it out: six total pitchers used, including starter-turned-reliever Kevin Gausman, and closer Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win.
The series MVP: Vlad Guerrero Jr.
Joining Springer in the story was the Blue Jays’ one-two punch at the top of their order. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was named ALCS MVP after hitting .385 (10-for-26) with three home runs, three doubles and four walks in the gruelling seven-game series.
Interestingly, Vladdy’s home runs all corresponded with Toronto victories in the series, underscoring his clutch impact. Jays manager, John Schneider, said: “He’s the face of the franchise… We talked about, ‘Hey, you’re the standard now for this team’ and what comes with that.”
And Guerrero himself, while proud, kept the bigger goal in mind:
“The job’s not finished. We got four more to go!”
Guerrero’s consistency throughout the playoffs (and his massive contract extension earlier this year) have now paid off in the biggest way: he helped the Blue Jays return to the World Series for the first time since their back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993.
Toronto’s ALCS win is more than a single game—it’s a statement. As Toronto fans know, the Blue Jays had not been to the Fall Classic in over three decades. Seattle, meanwhile, fell just short of its first-ever World Series appearance. The Blue Jays used a a complete mixture of talent including a veteran postseason performance from Springer, emerging superstar impact (Guerrero Jr.), and timely bullpen execution to pull it off.
Springer’s homer also cemented his status in postseason lore. It was his 23rd career playoff home run—tying him with Kyle Schwarber for third all-time behind only Manny Ramírez and José Altuve.
On to the World Series — it won’t be easy
Now, Toronto faces the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series. The Dodgers, fresh off a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, will host a deep, talented roster looking for back-to-back titles. But the BLue Jays will have home field advantage after finishing with a slightly better record this season.
The 2025 World Series schedule:
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 — Toronto (home) vs. Los Angeles.
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 — same again at Toronto.
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 — at Los Angeles.
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 — L.A. again.
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 — L.A. (if necessary).
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 — back in Toronto (if necessary).
Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 — Toronto (if necessary).
*All times local; national broadcast in the U.S. on Fox; games are expected to begin in the evening. (One source indicates all games start at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET).
The challenge ahead
Facing the Dodgers is no small task. Los Angeles brings championship experience, a deep pitching staff, and a roster built for October. Toronto, meanwhile, comes in riding momentum, high confidence and the emotional lift of ending a long drought.
Manager John Schneider acknowledged both the thrill and the gravity of the moment and booking their ticket to the World Series:
“A chance to win a game at home in front of these fans to go to the World Series, I think is everything that we play for and everything that our fans deserve.”
The Blue Jays know that while the pennant is many steps, the ultimate goal is another title. Their last two Series appearances, in 1992–93, both ended in championships. A win over the Dodgers would restore that legacy for this franchise and give Canadian baseball fans from coast to coast to coast, something to rally around.
As Springer put it, “so happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country.” The job isn’t finished: “we got four more to go.”
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