Blue Jays clinch World Series berth with Game 7 win over Mariners

When George Springer, outfielder for Toronto Blue Jays launched a three‑run home run in the bottom of the seventh, the crowd at Rogers Centre erupted into what could only be described as a seismic roar. The blast turned a 3‑1 deficit into a 4‑3 lead, sealing the American League Championship SeriesToronto for the World Series and ended a 32‑year championship drought for the franchise.

How the Game Unfolded

The decisive Game 7 on Monday, October 20, 2025, was a roller‑coaster from the start. Seattle took an early 1‑0 lead, but Toronto answered with two runs in the third inning, courtesy of a leadoff double by Isiah Kiner‑Falefa and a sacrifice fly from Andres Giménez. The Mariners fought back, winning Games 1, 3, and 6, and entered the final contest with a 3‑1 lead in the seventh.

Springer’s at‑bat began with an Addison Barger walk, followed by a single from Kiner‑Falefa. With two outs and a 1‑1 count, Mariners reliever Andrés Bazardo delivered a 94.2 mph sinker that Springer turned into a 101.7 mph, 417‑foot blast to left‑center. The launch angle measured 28 degrees, sending the ball over the left‑field wall just as the stadium’s big screen flashed his name.

Toronto’s closer Jordan Romano sealed the win by striking out Mariners designated hitter Ty France with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The final out was recorded at 10:47 PM EDT, and the scoreboard read 4‑3.

Key Players and Their Stories

Springer, 35, entered the game nursing a right‑knee injury sustained three days earlier when he was plunked by a 95.6 mph fastball from Seattle’s Andrés Muñoz. Despite the pain, manager John Schneider kept him in the lineup—a decision that paid off handsomely.

"That's the coolest moment of my career," infuriated Kiner‑Falefa said in the locker room. "I've watched him do it in the post‑season on TV, but to be on base when he did that, incredible. I've never heard a stadium erupt like that. George showed up for the team when we needed him most."

Meanwhile, Seattle’s CEO John Stanton, who bought the Mariners for $1.2 billion in 2016, watched from the dugout with a clenched jaw. "We gave it everything we had," Stanton told reporters after the game. "It hurts, but this is baseball. We'll regroup and aim for 2026."

The ALCS MVP award was awarded to Springer, a nod to the performance that has already earned him a World Series ring with the 2017 Houston Astros. His three‑year, $150 million contract, signed on December 1, 2021, now looks even more justified.

Reactions from the Bench and Front Office

Schneider, 44, praised his roster’s resiliency. "We had 49 comeback wins in the regular season and two more in the playoffs," he told a post‑game press conference. "That DNA never fades. The guys trusted each other, and they delivered when it mattered."

Mariners manager Scott Servais, 58, faced an inevitable question‑mark about his future. "I’m proud of the kids," Servais said. "We fought hard. The front office will decide what’s next, and I respect that."

Baseball analyst Mike Lupica added perspective on the series’ historical weight: "The ALCS has rarely gone to a Game 7. The Blue Jays are the first Canadian team to claim a spot in the World Series since the Expos folded. It’s a milestone for the sport north of the border."

What This Means for Toronto and Seattle

Toronto finished the regular season 98‑64, posting a league‑best 52‑29 home record at Rogers Centre. The victory pushes the franchise back into the spotlight for the first time since its back‑to‑back titles in 1992 and 1993.

Seattle, 94‑68 overall, saw its road record of 45‑36 evaporate after the loss. The Mariners have not appeared in a World Series since 2001, and the defeat may spark a reevaluation of the roster and scouting strategy.

Fans in Toronto are already planning celebration parades. Local mayor Olivia Chow hinted at a city‑wide rally on Saturday, October 25. In Seattle, supporters gathered outside the stadium chanting, “We’ll be back,” echoing a sentiment that has defined the franchise’s recent years.

Looking Ahead to the 2025 World Series

The Blue Jays will now await the winner of the National League Championship Series, scheduled to conclude on Friday, October 24, 2025. Early odds favor the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Mets and Braves remain in contention.

Springer’s heroics have ignited a “big‑game” narrative for Toronto. If the Jays can keep the momentum, the 2025 World Series could become the first all‑Canadian baseball championship in modern history—though they would need to beat a traditionally strong NL opponent on the road.

For the Mariners, the offseason will be a chance to reassess. With a $120 million payroll and a farm system ranked in the top ten, Seattle still possesses the tools to bounce back quickly. The key will be addressing the bullpen, which faltered in the later innings of Game 7.

• Attendance: 49,321 fans at Rogers Centre
• Springer’s home‑run speed: 101.7 mph, 417 ft distance
• Regular‑season records: Blue Jays 98‑64, Mariners 94‑68
• Comeback wins: 49 for Toronto during the regular season
• ALCS Game‑by‑Game split: 3‑3 before Game 7