Springer’s Clutch Homer Sends Blue Jays to Series/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ George Springer’s dramatic three-run homer in the seventh inning powered the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4–3 comeback win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS. The victory sends Toronto to its first World Series appearance since 1993. They’ll host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday.
Blue Jays Win AL Pennant Quick Looks
- George Springer’s 3-run homer in the 7th gave Toronto the lead and sealed the AL pennant.
- Toronto Blue Jays advance to the World Series for the first time since 1993.
- Springer’s 23rd postseason home run ties him for 3rd all-time in MLB playoff history.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named ALCS MVP, as the Blue Jays rally from a 3-1 deficit.
- Mariners fall short in first-ever Game 7, still seeking their first pennant.
- Toronto’s bullpen shuts the door, with Gausman, Bassitt, and Hoffman preserving the win.
- Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers await in the World Series starting Friday.
- This is only the third World Series hosted in Canada.
Deep Look: Springer’s Late Blast Propels Blue Jays Past Mariners in ALCS Game 7 Thriller
TORONTO — October 21, 2025 — For the first time in 32 years, the World Series is headed back to Canada.
George Springer, known for his postseason heroics, delivered once again on baseball’s biggest stage, launching a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4–3 win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
The victory sends the Blue Jays to their first World Series since 1993, where they’ll host Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 on Friday night.
“Unbelievable moment,” said Springer. “So happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country.”
October Magic From Springer
Springer’s blast — his fourth of the postseason and 23rd of his playoff career — turned the game and the series on its head. With the Blue Jays trailing 3–1 in the seventh, Addison Barger walked, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled on an 0-2 count to set the stage.
After Andrés Giménez executed a sacrifice bunt to move the runners, Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo took the mound. On his first pitch, Springer sent a 381-foot drive into the left field seats, igniting the sellout crowd of 44,770 at Rogers Centre.
“There’s probably not another person on planet Earth I’d want up there than George Springer,” said manager John Schneider. “That’s October magic.”
It marked the first go-ahead home run in Game 7 history when a team trailed by multiple runs in the seventh inning or later.
Springer now trails only Manny Ramírez (29) and Jose Altuve (27) in postseason home runs, tied with Kyle Schwarber (23).
Guerrero Jr. Leads the Way, Named ALCS MVP
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hit .348 in the ALCS, was named Most Valuable Player of the series. The 26-year-old, born in Montreal, wore a Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews jersey to the ballpark, prompting manager Schneider to joke:
“I think Vladdy broke the curse.”
Guerrero will now play in the World Series for the first time — something his Hall of Fame father never achieved.
Mariners Fall Just Short Again
The Mariners, still seeking their first World Series appearance, held a 3–1 lead in the seventh, thanks to home runs by Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh. It was Seattle’s first-ever Game 7 appearance, and they came just eight outs away from making history.
“I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure,” Raleigh said bluntly. “We expected to get to and win the World Series.”
Rodríguez doubled and scored in the first, then homered in the third. Raleigh added a solo shot in the fifth, his 10th homer in just 15 games at Rogers Centre, including three this postseason.
“There’s no question this one stings,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson.
Bullpen Shines as Toronto Holds the Lead
The Blue Jays’ bullpen locked in after Springer’s heroics:
- Kevin Gausman earned the win with a scoreless seventh, his first relief outing since 2021.
- Chris Bassitt pitched a perfect eighth.
- Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the ninth for his second save of the postseason.
Toronto overcame early struggles from starter Shane Bieber, who allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 3 2/3 innings. Seattle starter George Kirby lasted four innings, allowing 1 run on four hits.
Historic Comeback for Canada’s Team
The Blue Jays became just the fourth team in MLB history to lose the first two games of a best-of-seven postseason series at home and still win the series. They join the:
- 1985 Kansas City Royals
- 1986 New York Mets
- 1996 New York Yankees
“I think it’s an inspiration for 41 million Canadians from coast to coast,” said Blue Jays chairman Edward Rogers. “This is Canada’s team.”
The win was especially meaningful for bench coach Don Mattingly, who, after decades in the game, will appear in his first World Series. A former Yankees captain and Dodgers manager, Mattingly was one of MLB’s most respected players never to reach the Fall Classic — until now.
What’s Next: World Series Returns to Toronto
The Blue Jays will host Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, having earned home-field advantage with a 94–68 regular-season record, one win better than the NL-champion Dodgers (93–69).
Toronto’s only two prior World Series appearances — in 1992 and 1993 — both ended in championships.
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