Blue Jays Clinch First World Series Berth Since 1993, Will Face Dodgers
The Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the World Series for the first time in over three decades, following a dramatic Game 7 victory over the Seattle Mariners. The turning point came in the seventh inning when George Springer, a player with previous World Series experience, stepped to the plate with runners on second and third. Instead of merely tying the game, Springer delivered a thunderous three-run homer off Eduard Bazardo, transforming a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead that would ultimately send Toronto to face the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic beginning Friday night.
This American League Championship Series provided baseball fans with unforgettable theatrics throughout. The Blue Jays found themselves in a precarious position after falling behind 3-2 in the series, requiring consecutive victories to advance. Their Game 6 comeback, fueled by critical home runs from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger, set the stage for Monday night’s winner-take-all showdown. Though Seattle struck first when Josh Naylor’s RBI single brought home Julio Rodriguez, Toronto quickly responded with Daulton Varsho—who has been clutch throughout the postseason—driving in Springer to level the score at 1-1.
The Mariners seemed to seize control of the game in the middle innings, with Rodriguez blasting a solo home run in the third to restore Seattle’s lead. AL MVP candidate Cal Raleigh extended that advantage in the fifth with another solo shot, pushing Seattle ahead 3-1 and silencing the Rogers Centre crowd. With one of baseball’s most dominant pitching staffs, the Mariners appeared poised to secure their first-ever World Series appearance as they turned to their bullpen to protect the lead. Bryan Woo delivered clean fifth and sixth innings, but the game unraveled for Seattle in the decisive seventh.
The critical sequence began when Woo walked Barger to open the inning, followed by Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s single that energized the home crowd. After a sacrifice bunt by Andres Gimenez advanced both runners, Mariners manager Dan Wilson called on Bazardo to face Springer in the game’s defining moment. In an instant that will live in Blue Jays lore, Springer connected perfectly on a fastball, launching it over the left field fence and sending Rogers Centre into a frenzy. The three-run homer completely shifted the momentum, giving Toronto a lead they would not relinquish.
Jeff Hoffman sealed the pennant for Toronto with a dominant ninth inning, striking out all three batters he faced, including Rodriguez to end the game. The final out triggered an emotional celebration as players stormed the field, coaches embraced in the dugout, and long-suffering Blue Jays fans—who haven’t witnessed their team in the World Series since Joe Carter’s iconic home run in 1993—erupted with unbridled joy. This victory was particularly sweet considering the franchise’s extended absence from baseball’s championship stage and the dramatic fashion in which they secured their berth.
The Blue Jays will now attempt to recapture the magic of their back-to-back championship teams from 1992-93, though they face a formidable challenge against the Dodgers. Toronto’s resilience throughout this postseason—winning elimination games, coming from behind, and receiving contributions from stars and role players alike—suggests they’ll be worthy contenders. As the celebration continues in Toronto and preparations begin for Friday’s World Series opener, baseball fans across North America are witnessing the rebirth of a storied franchise on baseball’s biggest stage, with Springer’s clutch home run becoming an instant classic in the rich tapestry of playoff baseball history.