Blue Jays Stun Mariners 4-3 in ALCS Game 7, Earn First World Series Spot Since 1993

When George Springer, the 35‑year‑old center fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, launched a three‑run homer in the bottom of the seventh, the entire Rogers Centre erupted on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 8:07 PM ET.

The blast turned a 2‑1 deficit into a 4‑2 lead and ultimately a 4‑3 victory over the Seattle Mariners, sealing the American League Championship Series and sending the Jays to their first World Series since 1993.

The win mattered not just for the scoreboard; it rewrote ALCS lore. No team had ever dropped the first two games at home and still clinched a seven‑game series. Toronto’s comeback set a new standard for resilience, and the city of Toronto—still buzzing from the 2023 NBA Finals—now has its own baseball celebration.

Background: How the ALCS Got Here

The series began with two crushing defeats for Toronto, 5‑2 and 7‑4, at the Rogers Centre. Seattle, led by rookie phenom Julio Rodríguez, seemed poised to make history with a first‑ever World Series berth. Yet the Mariners stumbled in Seattle, dropping Games 3, 4 and 5, allowing the Jays to claw back into contention.

By the time Game 7 rolled around, both clubs had dealt with injuries and bullpen fatigue. Toronto’s shortstop Bo Bichette was nursing a knee strain from the Division Series, while Seattle’s manager Scott Servais was desperate to bring his club within eight outs of a franchise‑first World Series.

Game 7 Play‑by‑Play: The Seesaw Drama

The opening inning belonged to Seattle. Andrés Muñoz warmed up in the bullpen, but starter Logan Gilbert settled in, limiting Toronto to one run in the first three frames.

In the top of the third, Rodríguez launched a solo shot off Toronto’s ace Shane Bieber, giving the Mariners a 2‑1 edge that would hold until the seventh. Bieber, who had thrown 6.1 innings with eight strikeouts, kept the Jays within striking distance, but the tension was palpable.

When the seventh inning began, the Mariners clung to a two‑run lead. Then came the swing of a lifetime: Springer, with two strikes, timed a fastball from Muñoz and sent it soaring over the left‑field wall. The triple‑run blast not only flipped the score but also sent a ripple of disbelief through the home crowd.

Seattle answered with a single, but the Jays’ closer Jordan Romano, age 32, shut the door. He recorded the final six outs, sealing the pennant and sparking a 49,708‑strong arena to chant “Blue Jays! Blue Jays!” for the first time in over three decades.

Key Performances and Who Made the Difference

Springer’s 109‑foot homer was the statistical high point, but other contributions mattered. Daulton Varsho added an RBI single in the fifth, and Jordan Romano posted a flawless 1.00 ERA for the night.

Gilbert’s 5.2 innings kept Seattle in the mix, yet his one‑run total underscored how thin the margin was. For Toronto, Bieber’s six‑plus innings provided the backbone, allowing only two runs on six hits while striking out eight batters.

On the sidelines, manager John Schneider kept the clubhouse focused, reminding his players that “every at‑bat counts” and refusing to let the early deficits dictate the narrative.

Reactions: Voices From the Field and the Booth

“That might have been the best outing of his season. What a moment for him. What a moment for George Springer. What a moment for this city,” exclaimed Buck Martinez, the veteran analyst on Sportsnet, his voice barely containing excitement.

In the post‑game press conference, Schneider declared, “No team in ALCS history has lost the first two at home and come back to win a seven‑game series until now. The Blue Jays were fantastic today and hopefully they’re fantastic in the 2025 World Series.”

Servais, visibly drained, said, “We were eight outs from a World Series. It hurts, but this team fought like champions.” He added that the Mariners will regroup, citing the need to improve bullpen depth.

Varsho, appearing on ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’, warned, “The Blue Jays have to grind it out vs. the Dodgers. It’s a different animal, but we’re ready.”

What Comes Next: The 2025 World Series Preview

The Jays now turn their attention to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who clinched the National League pennant two weeks earlier. The Dodgers, led by superstar Mookie Betts, will host Game 1 on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. Analysts are split: some argue Toronto’s momentum will carry them far; others point to Los Angeles’ deep pitching rotation as the decisive factor.

For Toronto fans, the outlook is nostalgic. The city hasn’t celebrated a World Series title since the 1992‑93 back‑to‑back victories. If the Jays win, it will be their seventh AL pennant and first championship in 32 years, cementing the 2025 squad as one of the most memorable in franchise history.

Historical Significance: A Turn in the Record Books

This victory marks the seventh American League pennant for Toronto (previously 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2015). The last time the Jays lifted the trophy, they were a powerhouse built around players like Roberto Alomar and Joe Carlson. Now, veterans like Springer and rookie stars such as Varsho combine to write a new chapter.

For Seattle, the loss extends a painful pattern: four ALCS appearances (1995, 2000, 2001, 2025) without a World Series berth. The Mariners’ front office has pledged to keep the core together, hoping the 2025 run was a stepping stone rather than a dead‑end.