TORONTO — October 21, 2025 — The Toronto Blue Jays are heading back to the World Series for the first time since 1993, thanks to a clutch three-run home run from George Springer that sealed a 4–3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Monday night.
Springer, one of baseball’s most decorated postseason performers, launched his 23rd career playoff home run in the bottom of the seventh inning at Rogers Centre, propelling Toronto to a dramatic comeback win in front of a roaring home crowd.
The Blue Jays will now face Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 MLB World Series, with Game 1 set for Friday in Toronto.
Springer’s Clutch Blast Secures the Pennant
Trailing 3–1 entering the seventh, Toronto’s rally began when Addison Barger drew a walk off Seattle pitcher Bryan Woo. Isiah Kiner-Falefa followed with a single to centre, and Andres Gimenez executed a textbook sacrifice bunt to advance both runners.
Then came the defining moment: on a 1-0 sinker from reliever Eduard Bazardo, Springer crushed a three-run homer to left-centre, flipping the game — and the series — in Toronto’s favour. The blast was his fourth of the 2025 postseason, tying him with Kyle Schwarber for third place all-time in playoff home runs behind Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27).
Blue Jays’ Pitching Depth Shines
Toronto relied on a six-man pitching rotation to survive the elimination game. Seranthony Dominguez delivered a perfect sixth inning, while Kevin Gausman (2–1), typically a starter, earned the win after pitching a key scoreless frame.
Chris Bassitt, another regular starter, shut down the Mariners in the eighth, and Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the ninth to lock down the save and send the Blue Jays to their long-awaited championship return.
Mariners Fall Just Short of History
The Seattle Mariners, chasing their first World Series berth in franchise history, started strong with solo home runs from Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh, who each notched their fourth and fifth postseason homers, respectively.
Seattle took a 3–1 lead in the fifth inning, but Toronto’s bullpen silenced their bats the rest of the way. Starting pitcher George Kirby held the Jays to one run through four innings before the bullpen faltered in the later frames.
Toronto’s Historic Return to the Fall Classic
With this victory, the Blue Jays — who last won the World Series in 1992 and 1993 — continue their perfect record in World Series appearances. They remain, along with the Miami Marlins, one of only two franchises to appear in multiple World Series and never lose.
Toronto’s resurgence marks a milestone for the franchise, powered by a balanced mix of young talent and veteran leadership. Springer, who joined the team in 2021, has been instrumental both on and off the field, bringing playoff experience and clutch hitting to a young core that includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho.
Varsho, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI, helped keep Toronto competitive early before Springer’s game-winning moment.
What’s Next: A World Series Showdown
The Blue Jays now prepare for an epic showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers, led by two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who has dominated both as a hitter and pitcher this postseason.
Game 1 of the 2025 World Series begins Friday, October 24, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, where the home crowd will look to recreate the magic of their early-’90s championship runs.
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