When Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 6‑2 on ALCS Game 6Rogers Centre, Toronto, the series was thrust into a winner‑take‑all finale. The win came exactly 32 years after the Blue Jays last appeared in a World Series, setting the stage for a Monday night showdown that could finish the franchise’s long‑awaited pennant quest.
Game 6 in Review: How Toronto Took Control
Rookie right‑hander Trey Yesavage entered the mound with just three regular‑season starts under his belt, yet he delivered a master class in poise. Over 5 2⁄3 innings he surrendered only two runs, struck out seven, and—oddly enough—induced double plays in three consecutive innings. Those three back‑to‑back grounders erased potential Mariners rallies and kept the game firmly in Toronto’s pocket.
Seattle’s starter, Logan Gilbert, never really found his groove. After a shaky outing in Game 2, he was unable to stitch together the strike‑out streak that carried the Mariners through earlier series wins. His five innings yielded three hits and two unearned runs, a far cry from the dominant performances fans hoped for.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Defensive miscues by the Mariners proved costly. Center fielder Julio Rodríguez mis‑fielded a routine grounder, while third baseman Eugenio Suárez bobbled a soft throw. Those back‑to‑back errors opened the door for Toronto’s third‑base stalwart Addison Barger and shortstop Isiah Kiner‑Falefa to drive in runs with singles in the second inning.
In the third, Barger launched a two‑run homer that pushed the lead to 4‑0. The moment sparked a roar from the home crowd that still lingers in the stadium’s echo. Later, slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added insurance with a solo blast—his sixth postseason home run, the most by any player in the 2025 playoffs.
Guerrero’s heroics didn’t stop at the plate. A mis‑thrown ball by Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh allowed the veteran first baseman to sprint home on a wild pitch, extending the margin to 6‑2.
Reactions from the Locker Rooms
Post‑game, SportsNet reporter Hazel Mae caught a breathless Guerrero on the public‑address system. When asked if he was ready for a Game 7, the 26‑year‑old paused, let the crowd’s chant fill the silence, then declared, “I was born ready. I was born ready. And I want it all for this city.” He also recalled his Hall of Fame father’s advice: “Game 7 is give it all you have.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider kept his tone relaxed but focused: “Got to enjoy it, man. This is what we sign up for. It's special and unique, but you have to look at it as a game.” His calm demeanor contrasts with the pressure that has built up over a three‑week series.
Across town, Rodríguez, ever the competitor, shrugged off the loss with a simple, “Win or go home. We’re going to lay everything out there.” The Mariners’ 48‑year drought—no World Series appearance since their inception—makes every ALCS game feel like a lifetime trial.
What Game 7 Means for Both Franchises
For Toronto, a win would end a 32‑year wait for a pennant and set up a World Series clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 24. The city’s skyline will be lit in blue and white, and a new generation of fans will finally see their team hoist the Commissioner's Trophy.
The Mariners, meanwhile, are the only MLB franchise that has never reached the World Series. A victory would rewrite that narrative, delivering the franchise’s first ever World Series ticket and sending Seattle’s fans into a frenzy that could rival the city’s famed coffee culture.
Both squads will call on their ace arms for the finale. Cleveland Guardians veteran Shane Bieber—2020 Cy Young winner—will take the ball for Toronto, while Seattle will counter with rising star George Kirby, the 26‑year‑old who has been a strike‑out machine all season.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the World Series
If the Blue Jays pull off the upset, they’ll face a Dodgers team that has already clinched three division titles this decade and boasts a roster stacked with power hitters and veteran poise. The Dodgers, led by manager Dave Roberts, will be keen to finish the year with a championship that matches their recent postseason dominance.
Should Seattle prevail, the narrative shifts. The Mariners would become the first Pacific Northwest team to ever play in a World Series, a milestone that could spark a new era of baseball enthusiasm across Washington and Oregon. Their opponent’s identity would still be the Dodgers, meaning the Mariners would have to breach a high‑powered lineup that has already weathered two tough ALCS battles.
Either way, the decisive game will be a test of mental toughness, bullpen depth, and managerial chess moves. In the final minutes, every pitch, every error, every baserunning slip could decide which city celebrates and which one goes home empty‑handed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Game 7 affect Toronto’s chances of a World Series title?
A win would give the Blue Jays their first pennant since 1993 and set up a matchup with the Dodgers, who are the heavy favorites. The momentum from a Game 7 victory could boost Toronto’s confidence, but they’ll still need to navigate a Dodgers staff that boasts both power hitting and elite relief pitching.
What are the Mariners’ historical odds of reaching a World Series?
Seattle is the only MLB franchise without a World Series appearance, a streak that began in 1977. Analysts peg their odds at under 5 % given past postseason performances, but a win in Game 7 would snap that curse and make them the first team from the Pacific Northwest to ever reach the Fall Classic.
Who are the key pitchers slated for Game 7?
Toronto will start Shane Bieber, a former Cy Young winner known for his late‑inning stamina. Seattle counters with George Kirby, a 26‑year‑old left‑hander who posted a sub‑3.00 ERA during the regular season.
What was the most pivotal moment in Game 6?
The back‑to‑back errors by Julio Rodríguez and Eugenio Suárez in the second inning ignited Toronto’s offense, leading to two RBI singles that set the tone. Coupled with Yesavage’s double‑play streak, those moments shifted the series momentum decisively.
