Blue Jays Force Game 7, Then Win ALCS, First World Series Since 1993

When Toronto Blue Jays stalled a shutdown in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, the baseball world took notice. Rookie right‑hander Trey Yesavage, starter carried a shutout into the sixth inning on October 19, 2025, at the Rogers Centre, while sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger each belted a home run to lift the Blue Jays to a 6‑2 win over the Seattle Mariners. The next night, veteran George Springer delivered a go‑ahead three‑run blast off reliever Eduard Bazardo, sealing a 4‑3 victory in Game 7 and sending Toronto to its first World Series since 1993. Manager John Schneider finally saw his team survive the brink of elimination, setting up a showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic.

Game 6: A Turnaround Fueled by Errors and Power

From the opening pitch, Seattle struggled to find its rhythm. The Mariners committed three costly errors that directly produced Blue Jays runs. First, outfielder Julio Rodríguez bobbled a routine fly, turning what should have been a single into a double for Daulton Varsho. Varsho raced home on an RBI single by Addison Barger. Later, shortstop Eugenio Suárez mishandled a grounder from speedy Ernie Clement, allowing a run to score on a mis‑throw.

Yesavage’s poise was remarkable for a 22‑year‑old making his second big‑league start. He didn’t induce a double play until the 23 ⅓ innings he’d logged all season, but when the moment came, he turned three consecutive inning‑ending grounders into double plays, stifling any Seattle rally.

Game 7: Springer’s Heroics and a Nail‑Biting Finish

Game 7 unfolded as a classic see‑saw. Seattle opened the scoring in the third, but Toronto answered back in the fifth with a two‑run double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. The lead changed twice before the seventh inning, when reliever Eduard Bazardo entered to protect a one‑run margin. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Schneider called for George Springer. Springer launched a 115‑mph sinker into the left‑field seats, sending the crowd at Rogers Centre into a frenzy and putting Toronto ahead 4‑3 for good.

Boston‑born reliever Bryan Woo had pitched the prior inning, allowing a leadoff single and a sacrifice that set the stage for Springer’s heroics. The Mariners’ final out came on a pop‑up by catcher Ty~2023—a name that scarcely registered in the box score, but it was enough to clinch the series.

Schneider’s Strategy and the Series Swing

After dropping the first two games at home, Schneider made a bold adjustment: he turned to his bullpen earlier and trusted the rookie arm of Yesavage, banking on his composure under pressure. “We knew we had to change the tempo,” Schneider said post‑game. “Our guys responded, and the fans answered back.”

Seattle’s manager, Scott Servais, lamented the defensive lapses, noting that “three errors in a game is a recipe for disaster, especially in the ALCS.” The Mariners’ offense, which had produced a grand slam from Suárez in Game 5, went a dismal 6‑for‑40 with runners in scoring position from Game 3 onward, a .150 average that proved fatal.

What This Means for Toronto and the World Series

Toronto’s 94‑68 regular‑season record earned them the AL East crown, but it was the resilience in October that defined this run. The team now faces the Los Angeles Dodgers, a club that cracked 108 wins and boasts a deep roster featuring Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw.

For the city, the victory revives memories of Joe Carter’s 1993 walk‑off. “It feels like we’re finally getting our day back,” said longtime fan Maria López outside Rogers Centre. If the Blue Jays repeat that dramatic finish, they could rewrite the franchise’s narrative from perennial underachievers to perennial champions.

Historical Context: From 1985 to 2025

This was the Blue Jays’ first Game 7 in an ALCS since the heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Royals in 1985. That series ended with a 4‑3 defeat that still haunts older fans. None of the 2025 roster were even born then, underscoring how far the franchise has traveled.

Seattle, meanwhile, continues its quest for a first World Series appearance. The Mariners have won two division titles in the last decade but have never broken through the ALCS barrier. Their 90‑72 record in 2025 marked a solid season, yet the series exposed vulnerabilities that may linger into next year’s offseason.

Key Facts

• Game 6 score: Blue Jays 6, Mariners 2 (Oct 19, 2025)
• Game 7 score: Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3 (Oct 20, 2025)
• Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage threw 5 innings of shutout baseball in Game 6.
• Three Mariners errors directly produced two Blue Jays runs in Game 6.
• George Springer’s three‑run homer in the 7th inning of Game 7 proved decisive.
• Toronto will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series starting Friday, Oct 24, 2025.