Blue Jays Aim to Even ALCS Against Mariners in Game 4 Showdown
The Toronto Blue Jays have breathed new life into their American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 4 at T-Mobile Park on Thursday evening. After dropping the first two games at home in Toronto, the Blue Jays responded with an emphatic 13-4 victory in Game 3, breaking the curious pattern where the home team has yet to secure a win in this compelling series. The Blue Jays’ resurgent offense, which had managed just four runs total in the first two games, exploded in Seattle to keep their championship hopes alive. Now, as the 8:33 PM ET first pitch approaches, Toronto aims to even the series at two games apiece before returning home.
Game 3 represented a significant moment for Seattle baseball, marking the city’s first ALCS home game since 2001 when the Mariners faced the New York Yankees. However, any hometown energy quickly dissipated when Toronto struck for two runs in the opening inning, setting the tone for what would become a long night for Mariners fans. The victory carried historical significance for the Blue Jays as well, snapping a five-game road losing streak in ALCS play and giving them their first win away from home in championship series action since their World Series-winning 1993 campaign. The commanding performance demonstrated Toronto’s resilience and reminded everyone why they’ve advanced this far in October.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivered a postseason performance for the ages in Game 3, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a solo home run, two doubles, a single, and even drawing an intentional walk—a testament to how dangerous Seattle considered him at the plate. This marked Guerrero’s first career four-hit game in the postseason, showcasing his ability to elevate his play when the stakes are highest. Equally impressive was leadoff hitter George Springer, who went 3-for-6 and launched his 22nd career postseason home run, further cementing his reputation as one of baseball’s most accomplished October performers. Overall, the Blue Jays connected for five home runs in the game, overwhelming Seattle’s pitching staff and silencing the typically raucous T-Mobile Park crowd.
The Game 4 pitching matchup features two contrasting but equally compelling stories. For Toronto, future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer will make his postseason debut in a Blue Jays uniform. The veteran right-hander, known for his intense competitive spirit and dominant track record, posted a 5-5 record with a 5.19 ERA during an injury-shortened 2025 regular season. While those numbers don’t reflect his career excellence, Scherzer’s experience and big-game temperament make him a formidable presence in this crucial contest. Seattle counters with their ace Luis Castillo, who has been brilliant this October, compiling a 1-0 record with a microscopic 0.83 ERA across two postseason appearances. His ability to maintain that excellence could determine whether the Mariners take a commanding 3-1 series lead or head back to Toronto with the series tied.
The dramatic shift in momentum has transformed this ALCS from what appeared to be a potential Seattle sweep into a competitive, unpredictable battle. Toronto’s offensive awakening in Game 3 has created genuine tension in the series, with players and fans alike recognizing how quickly fortunes can change in October baseball. For Seattle, the challenge becomes rebounding from their first postseason loss at home and recapturing the formula that helped them secure two road victories in Toronto. For the Blue Jays, the goal is maintaining their newfound offensive rhythm while trusting Scherzer to deliver a quality start that gives them a realistic chance at evening the series.
As baseball fans across North America anticipate this pivotal matchup, the contrast in team situations adds another layer of intrigue. Seattle entered the series as slight underdogs despite their impressive regular season, while Toronto’s talented roster has sometimes struggled to translate regular-season success into postseason achievement. Now, with the series hanging in the balance, both teams face immense pressure—Seattle hoping to avoid squandering their early advantage, and Toronto looking to complete their comeback from an 0-2 deficit. Game 4 represents more than just another postseason contest; it’s a potential inflection point that could ultimately determine which club advances to represent the American League in the World Series.
