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They will now play in their first Game 7 in franchise history, right back here at Rogers Centre on Monday night.

“I think it’s a beautiful thing,†Julio Rodríguez said. “The baseball gods wanted us to be here, and I feel like everybody’s really excited for tomorrow.â€

This will be the Mariners†fourth winner-take-all game in franchise history, and despite that limited history, they have fared favorably when facing these stakes before — including earlier this October. The Mariners are 3-0 in winner-take-all games, with victories in Game 5 of the AL Division Series in 1995, 2001 and 2025, when they triumphed over the Tigers in a 15-inning marathon.

“It’s a great opportunity,†Cal Raleigh said. “And obviously, we’ll flush this one. We’ve been here before, in the round before. So weâ€ll try to take that to our advantage and come out ready to go.â€

It was never going to be easy to reach the pinnacle. And maybe the extra stress of an anything-can-happen game is fitting for the only franchise that has never played in the Fall Classic.

Seattle becomes just the eighth team to play both a five-game LDS and seven-game LCS in the same year — joining the 2020 Rays, 2017 Yankees, 2012 Giants, 2012 Cardinals, 2004 Astros, 2003 Red Sox and 2003 Cubs. Of those teams, only the 2020 Rays and 2012 Giants went on to advance to the World Series, and San Francisco was the only to win the whole thing.

“I think everyone does a great job of showing up the next day ready to go, and we’re very prepared,†first baseman Josh Naylor said. “Whatever happens the previous day, we wash it and get going the next day. And so it’s all about winning on that current day. So I’m really excited for tomorrow. I think we all are.â€

With their season on the line, the Mariners will turn to George Kirby against Torontoâ€s Shane Bieber in what is a Game 3 rematch. But just about everyone on Seattleâ€s pitching staff will be available, including starters Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, both of whom said after Game 6 that they anticipate pitching in Game 7.

Woo made his playoff debut when pitching the sixth and seventh innings in Seattleâ€s Game 5 win and will likely be on an abbreviated workload, given that it was his first outing since exiting a Sept. 19 start with pectoral inflammation. Miller started that game on Friday but only threw 56 pitches over four-plus innings. He also started Seattleâ€s Game 1 win, and on short rest in what was maybe their best outing of these playoffs.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck kind of situation,†Raleigh said. “So everybody will be excited and ready to go for that challenge. It’s just about going out there, controlling your emotions and trying to control those at-bats and those pitches, one by one.â€

As for Kirby, the Mariners have avoided using him on the road all October, as each of his three starts have come at T-Mobile Park — including an eight-run showing in a 13-4 loss in Game 3. He has a 5.16 ERA on the road this season compared to a 4.02 ERA at home. But heâ€s their only option at this stage.

“He’s the guy that we want in that situation and he’s thrown the ball well, and it’s his spot,†Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “George will be the starter, and we expect to have an all-hands-on-deck down there in the bullpen and ready to go at any point.â€

Added Kirby: “I love pitching under pressure and am super glad I’m able to get Game 7.â€

Aside from Kirby, Miller and Woo, the Mariners avoided using Gabe Speier and Andrés Muñoz in Game 6, putting them on two days†rest entering this finale.

Beyond the need for stout pitching against a Blue Jays lineup thatâ€s been the primary catalyst as theyâ€ve won three of these past four games, the Mariners would greatly benefit from striking early at the plate themselves. In a raucous road environment, doing so could take the crowd out of it — because Torontoâ€s fans are just as eager, as they havenâ€t seen a World Series since 1993. And this is just their second Game 7 in franchise history — they lost their first, to the Kansas City Royals in the 1985 ALCS.

That said, the Mariners have scored first in nine of their 11 playoff games and are 6-5.

“We’re going to a Game 7 for the American League for a reason,†Rodríguez said. “They’re a really good ballclub, and they’re playing really good baseball, too.â€

Pressure was always going to elevate as Seattle advanced in these playoffs, compounded by expectations for a talented roster and a fanbase thatâ€s been starved for this stage.

“All of that is just fuel,†Rodríguez said. “It’s something that we’re walking through very rare territory, but that’s just exciting, I feel like. There is always pressure when you’re doing great things. I just feel like it is just things that come with it. Youâ€ve got to learn how to manage it and how to acknowledge it, too.

“Because you cannot say there is not pressure right now or that there is not the expectation in the big moments to be able to deliver a win. You cannot just say that, playing where we are and knowing the history of the team.â€

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TORONTO – Needing six outs to force a Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Blue Jays manager John Schneider went to his best.

After Fridayâ€s bullpen meltdown in Seattle, there were no questions about matchups, handedness or saving a reliever for later. The eighth and ninth innings were Jeff Hoffmanâ€s, and the closer delivered the two most important innings he has thrown so far as a Blue Jay, closing out Torontoâ€s 6-2 win over the Mariners to force Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night at Rogers Centre.

The heart of the Mariners†order was due up in the eighth, with switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh leading off, followed by switch-hitter Jorge Polanco and lefty Josh Naylor. That was the same situation the Blue Jays faced in Game 5, although they were leading by one at that point and not by four like they were on Sunday.

It did not work then with Brendon Little, but Hoffman got Raleigh and Polanco to strike out swinging, followed by a flyout from Naylor to end the eighth. Hoffman struck out the first two batters of the ninth, walked J.P. Crawford but got a popout from Dominic Canzone to send this series to Game 7.

“I think we took a shot right there to shut the door with Hoff, knowing how important this game is,†Kevin Gausman said. “Whether that affects tomorrow, we donâ€t know. Weâ€ll see how those guys feel coming in tomorrow. But weâ€ve got a lot of other guys who are ready to go and fresh. If we need to pick up an inning or so, itâ€s all hands on deck.â€

As inconsistent as Hoffman has been this year, Sunday night was why the Blue Jays signed him to a three-year, $33 million contract this past offseason. Schneider has consistently put his trust behind the right-hander despite a 4.37 regular-season ERA and seven blown saves, which was tied with 10 other relievers for fourth most in MLB.

But Hoffman has been the Blue Jays†guy at the back end of the bullpen. The 32-year-old threw 1 1/3 innings in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees, but he hadnâ€t thrown two innings since April 30. But when Raleigh was due to lead off the eighth, Hoffman knew he would likely throw two innings Sunday.

“Now itâ€s just about recovering and getting ready for tomorrow,†Hoffman said.

Yes, tomorrow. The Blue Jays got there. Now they have to figure out how to get 27 outs and send this franchise to its first World Series since 1993.

And everybody will be available to pitch behind starter Shane Bieber, who gave the Blue Jays their first win of the ALCS in Game 3.

“Everyone’s available tomorrow,†Schneider said. “Biebs is obviously starting, so that takes him out of the equation in the bullpen, but every single person that is active on our roster will be available to play tomorrow.â€

Hoffman added: “If youâ€re not [ready], I donâ€t know if you have a pulse. This is why we do it. To have an opportunity like this – to do something special. Iâ€m pretty sure everybody will be fighting to get on the field tomorrow.â€

That will include the usual suspects out of the ‘pen. Louie Varland, who threw 22 pitches (11 strikes) over 1 1/3 innings, can be available for those middle bridge innings. Hoffman, who threw 35 pitches (23 strikes) on Sunday, said heâ€ll be ready to go for Game 7. The Blue Jays can turn to Seranthony Domínguez late in the game, too.

But that group will also include Max Scherzer and Gausman, who pitched Games 4 and 5, respectively. The Mariners have performed much better against the Blue Jays†relievers in this series than the starting pitchers:

Mariners vs. Blue Jays rotation: 132 PA, .198/.295/.371, .666 OPS, 6 HR
Mariners vs. Blue Jays bullpen: 89 PA, .247/.337/.519, .856 OPS, 6 HR

In a win-or-go-home game, teams are sure to have a few tricks up their sleeves. And the Blue Jays are going to need everyone to keep this season going. That includes a stable of arms ready to step up.

“They were awesome [Sunday],†third baseman Ernie Clement said. “We trust those guys in any situation. We know theyâ€re going to have to come up big tomorrow as well. Theyâ€ll do it.â€

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TORONTO — Look dad, Game 7!

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his sixth home run this postseason, rookie Trey Yesavage struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings and the Toronto Blue Jays pushed the American League Championship Series to the limit by beating the sloppy Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Sunday night.

The AL pennant will be decided Monday night in Toronto, the second Game 7 in Blue Jays history. Toronto lost to Kansas City in the 1985 ALCS.

“Got to enjoy it, man. This is what we sign up for,†Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “Itâ€s special and unique, but you have to look at it as a game.â€

For one famous baseball family, it will also be a first. Guerreroâ€s father, Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, never played in a postseason Game 7 during his 16-year career.

“My dad was telling me, Game 7 is give it all you have,†the Toronto slugger said.

Seattle, the only big league team without a pennant, will play a Game 7 for the first time. The winner faces the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series beginning Friday.

“Win or go home,†Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez said. “Weâ€re going to lay everything out there.â€

Addison Barger homered and drove in three early runs for the Blue Jays, who turned three double plays behind Yesavage — two of them to escape bases-loaded jams.

That made Toronto the first team to induce consecutive bases-loaded, inning-ending double plays in a postseason game, and only the fourth team to turn two in a single postseason game.

“I knew my defense had my back,†Yesavage said.

Toronto also took advantage of Seattleâ€s season-high three errors. By comparison, the Blue Jays have made four errors in 10 playoff games.

“Balls just kind of in and out of the glove there that put a couple extra guys on base,†Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Unfortunately, it led to a couple runs.â€

Guerreroâ€s sixth career postseason homer — all this year — tied him with José Bautista and Joe Carter for the most in Blue Jays history.

“This is what you look for from one of the elite players in the game,†Schneider said.

Bautista threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.

Toronto had lost its previous four games when facing postseason elimination. That streak stretched to Game 5 of the 2016 ALCS against Cleveland and included wild-card round losses to Tampa Bay in 2020, Seattle in 2022 and Minnesota in 2023.

Guerreroâ€s leadoff homer in the fifth made it 5-0 and chased Mariners starter Logan Gilbert. The right-hander allowed four earned runs and seven hits in four-plus innings.

“I thought he had a good fastball, especially early,†Wilson said. “His split was good at times. This is a tough lineup and they did what they had to do to get the ball in play.â€

Yesavage took a shutout into the sixth. He was charged with two runs and six hits, five of them singles. Five of his strikeouts came on his split-finger fastball, as did both double-play grounders with the bases loaded.

“I just believed in myself. I know my stuff plays at this level,†Yesavage said. “I know the defense behind me is going to play at the best of their abilities, and getting three double plays in back-to-back-to-back innings was huge.â€

The 22-year-old Yesavage threw a season-high 31 splitters. He got 10 whiffs on splitters and five more on sliders.

“He brings the energy,†Guerrero said. “Heâ€s young. He wants to win so bad.â€

Three of Yesavageâ€s six major league starts have come in the playoffs. Heâ€s won twice this postseason after winning one of three outings during the regular season.

Louis Varland got four outs and Jeff Hoffman struck out four over two hitless innings to end it.

The Mariners used two walks and a single to load the bases against Yesavage in the third but were denied when slugger Cal Raleigh grounded into a 3-6-1 double play started by Guerrero and completed by Yesavage covering first base. Raleighâ€s first-pitch grounder came off his bat at 101 mph.

“Underappreciated, I think, is how Vlad can play really deep because of his arm,†Schneider said. “In that situation, too, you need some wiggle room for a guy that hits the ball really hard.â€

Raleigh finished 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

Seattle came up empty again after another bases-loaded opportunity in the fourth when J.P. Crawford grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Mariners broke through and chased Yesavage in the sixth. Josh Naylorâ€s solo shot was his third home run of the playoffs. Yesavage exited after Randy Arozarenaâ€s base hit, and Eugenio Suárez greeted Varland with a bloop RBI single.

Toronto took advantage of fielding errors by Rodríguez in center field and Suárez at third base to score twice in the second, when Barger and Isiah Kiner-Falefa had RBI singles.

Ernie Clement hit a two-out triple off the left-field wall in the third and scored when Barger homered, his second of the postseason.

George Springer started at designated hitter for the Blue Jays and went 0 for 4 with a walk. Springer exited in the seventh inning of Fridayâ€s Game 5 loss in Seattle after he was hit on the right kneecap by a 95.6 mph pitch from Bryan Woo.

Guerrero was hit by a pitch from Seattle reliever Matt Brash in the seventh. Guerrero moved to second on Alejandro Kirkâ€s single and was advancing on a wild pitch when he scored on Raleighâ€s throwing error.

Up next

Toronto is expected to start RHP Shane Bieber on Monday night. Bieber allowed two runs and four hits over six innings in Game 3, a 13-4 win for the Blue Jays. He struck out eight and walked one as he bounced back from a poor outing against the Yankees in the Division Series.

RHP George Kirby will start for Seattle. He allowed eight runs and eight hits, including three homers, over four innings in Game 3.

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TORONTO – The Blue Jays insisted they were right where they wanted to be, and they proved it. The roof may have been closed, but their season remains wide open.

Inside a packed and deafening Rogers Centre, Toronto staved off elimination with their 6-2 victory over the Mariners on Sunday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the American League Championship Series.

“This was the most electric, energized crowd Iâ€ve ever played in front of before,†Yesavage said. “The team rallied behind the fans. They were a huge motivation for us.â€

As Jays manager John Schneider predicted, his club did not buckle after their crushing Game 5 loss in Seattle pushed them to the brink of elimination, which had provided the Mariners with an opportunity to claim a pennant on foreign soil.

“Weâ€ll be ready to go in Game 7,†Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “Baseball is a game of adjustments. They will be able to do that tomorrow night.â€

It has been a fantastic series, marked by clutch and gritty performances on both sides — and now it all will come down to Monday. The Blue Jays havenâ€t been to a World Series since 1993; the Mariners never have.

Toronto hasnâ€t participated in a Game 7 since the 1985 ALCS against the Royals, while this will be Seattleâ€s first. One of the clubs will advance to face the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, the other will go home empty-handed.

“Youâ€ve got to enjoy it, man,†Schneider said. “This is what we sign up for. This is why we sacrifice everything.â€

In postseason history, teams playing any winner-take-all game in their home ballpark are only 68-67, including 30-29 in best-of-seven series.

“I love pitching under pressure,†said Seattleâ€s George Kirby, who will start Game 7 opposite Torontoâ€s Shane Bieber in a rematch of Game 3. Kirby surrendered three home runs and eight earned runs over four innings in that game, a runaway 13-4 Jays victory, while Bieber allowed just two runs over six innings with eight strikeouts.

Game 6 was a night for firsts. Yesavage had not induced a double-play grounder through the first 14 innings of his big league career (and just two in his 98 Minor League innings this year). The rookie right-hander must have been saving that trick for when he really needed it, rolling three consecutive inning-enders in huge spots.

Cal Raleigh hit into a bases-loaded twin killing that ended the third inning, J.P. Crawford bounced into one with the bags full in the fourth, and Julio Rodríguez grounded into a double play that allowed Yesavage to escape the fifth unscathed.

“I was getting my stuff in the box early, getting ahead of batters and letting my defense work,†Yesavage said. “Getting three double plays in back-to-back-to-back innings to get out of two bases-loaded jams, that is huge. I knew my defense had my back.â€

Throughout this ALCS, the Blue Jays have showcased a boom-or-bust offense — fortunately for the enthusiastic crowd on hand, it was more of the former. Facing Logan Gilbert for the second time in this series, Toronto took advantage of Seattleâ€s uncharacteristically shaky defense, as the Mâ€s committed a season-high three errors.

The first came in the second inning, when third baseman Eugenio Suárez booted an Ernie Clement grounder, following a Daulton Varsho leadoff double.

Barger and Isiah Kiner-Falefa cashed runs with singles; Guerrero scorched a 116 mph grounder that appeared destined for more damage, but Suárez smothered it with a terrific diving stop. It was the hardest-hit ball of this ALCS so far.

“Heâ€s obviously locked in,†Clement said of Guerrero. “Heâ€s just staying within himself and not trying to do too much – and he is doing a lot, so itâ€s fun to watch.â€

Toronto added a two-out rally in the third inning. Clement jumped on the first pitch he saw for a triple to deep left, pelting the chain-link fence overlooking the bullpen, and Barger parked a slider into the seats beyond right-center field to open up the lead.

“Thatâ€s a moment you dream about as a kid,†Barger said.

Guerrero hoisted his bat high after going deep in the fifth inning, launching Gilbertâ€s final pitch of the game – a curveball – into the left-field bullpen. Gilbert was knocked for five runs (four earned) and seven hits in four-plus innings, including two homers.

It was Guerreroâ€s sixth homer of this postseason, tying Joe Carter and José Bautista for the most by a Blue Jay in a single postseason.

“It feels great, but it feels even better because we won the game,†Guerrero said.

Josh Naylor broke up Yesavageâ€s shutout bid with a sixth-inning homer, his third of this postseason. Two of the three have been hit in Toronto by Naylor, a native of Mississauga, Ont. Suárez added a run-scoring single in the sixth to greet Louis Varland, the first reliever out of the Jays†bullpen.

Hit by a pitch his next time up in the seventh, Guerrero created chaos as he came around to score Torontoâ€s sixth run, advancing on a wild pitch and a Raleigh throwing error. Television replays showed Guerrero stomping on home plate and looking into the Seattle dugout, clapping his hands emphatically.

Jeff Hoffman recorded the final six outs, striking out four — and, to paraphrase the late, great Jack Buck, weâ€ll see you tomorrow night for a Game 7 that has been decades in the making. Everyone on both sides promises to be ready.

“If youâ€re not, I donâ€t know if you have a pulse,†Hoffman said. “This is why we do it, to have an opportunity like this.â€

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TORONTO — Everything comes down to this. Both clubs can see the finish line, but only one will get there.

An unforgettable American League Championship Series has gone the distance, with the Blue Jays rebounding on Sunday night to force this powerhouse showdown with the Mariners to a seventh and deciding game, set to be played tonight at Rogers Centre.

Who will be the hero? Who will be the goat? Youâ€ll have to tune in to find out.

On the line is an opportunity to face the Dodgers in the World Series. The Blue Jays are hunting for their first pennant since 1993, while the Mariners are looking to reach baseballâ€s summit for the first time in a franchise history that spans nearly five decades.

Additionally, Toronto hasnâ€t participated in a Game 7 since the 1985 ALCS against the Royals; this will be Seattleâ€s first. So one team or the other will notch the franchiseâ€s first Game 7 win. Historically, teams are 30-29 in winner-take-all Game 7s in their home ballpark.

“It’s a do-or-die game. It’s win or go home,†said Torontoâ€s Addison Barger. “So we understand that.â€

“This is a team that has done the little things all season,†Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s also a team that has bounced back a lot. This is a chance for us to do that again, and we’ll do it tomorrow night in Game 7.â€

When is the game and how can I watch it?

First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET (5:08 p.m. PT) tonight at Rogers Centre and can be seen in the United States on FOX.

Blue Jays fans in Canada can tune in via Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ for the broadcast with Buck Martinez, Dan Shulman and Hazel Mae, or listen to the radio call with Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

All series are available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games also are available live internationally, although not in Canada. Sportsnet is MLB’s exclusive English language broadcaster in Canada for every Postseason game, while TVA Sports will be covering the entire AL Postseason and the World Series in French and Broadcaster RDS will cover the entire NL Postseason in French.

Who are the starting pitchers?

Mariners: George Kirby (0-1, 7.07 ERA in three playoff starts) is no stranger to this venue, but the last time he pitched here in the postseason was under drastically different context — closing out Game 2 of the 2022 AL Wild Card Series in what remains his only big league relief outing. But heâ€ll look to rebound from his most recent appearance against these Jays, after surrendering eight earned runs in a runaway 13-4 loss in Game 3 in Seattle. The Mariners have adamantly tried to avoid pitching him on the road this October, as all three of his starts have been at T-Mobile Park. But with no other options, theyâ€re banking on him overcoming his 5.16 regular-season road ERA and keeping the game close, because the bullpen will be just as much in play with their season on the line.

Blue Jays: Shane Bieber (4-2, 3.57 ERA in regular season) is set to make the biggest start of his career in Game 7, which is exactly why the Blue Jays traded for him at the Trade Deadline. Rebounding from a rough outing against the Yankees in the ALDS, Bieber was at his very best in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Mariners on Wednesday, throwing six innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts. Those two runs came in the first inning, but Bieber went back to his dugout imploring his teammates to “pick me up,†because he knew he had his best stuff. Heâ€ll need it — and the right adjustments — to pitch the Blue Jays to their first World Series in 32 years.

What might the starting lineups look like?

Mariners: Wilson made a notable shakeup ahead of Game 5, moving Randy Arozarena out of the leadoff spot for the first time since July 30. And for a manager whoâ€s valued lineup consistency, heâ€ll likely turn to the same order that heâ€s deployed in each of the two games since — starting with Julio Rodríguez out of the leadoff spot. Heâ€s also rolled with Dominic Canzone in right field over Victor Robles — whom the club says is healthy after crashing into the wall on a catch attempt in foul territory in Game 3 — as Robles is 3-for-26 this October.

Blue Jays: Expect the Blue Jays to roll back a similar lineup to Game 6. Manager John Schneider has continued to trust Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second base, which is the only real “decision†on the roster.

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?

Mariners: Just about everyone will be available, including starting pitchers Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo. The only option on the entire 13-man pitching staff who wonâ€t be is Logan Gilbert, who surrendered five runs (four earned) in four-plus innings in his Game 6 start. Woo said that he came out of his first relief appearance in Game 5 feeling fine and “good to go†if needed, though the Mariners wouldâ€ve preferred to use him in a closer contest than their 6-2 loss on Sunday night. If and when he and Miller are deployed, theyâ€ll likely be done so for a clean inning rather than with traffic. Those spots will be for Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash, Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo. Unless Kirby is completely lights out, look for it to again be an all-hands-on-deck effort, much like in Seattleâ€s 15-inning win in ALDS Game 5 vs. Detroit.

Blue Jays: The big variable here is Jeff Hoffman, who threw two innings to close out Game 6. He looked the best he has all season and will be available in Game 7, of course, but Hoffman hasnâ€t thrown two innings since April. While the Blue Jays may be hesitant to go back to Brendon Little after his rough outing in Game 5, it will be all hands on deck. That includes Max Scherzer and Kevin Gausman, who will be options if anything unexpected happens and the Blue Jays need to look beyond their back-end regulars like Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez.

Mariners: Woo is expected to pitch in Game 7 in some capacity, after spending nearly a full month recovering from pectoral inflammation, which forced him to be left off the Mariners†ALDS roster vs. the Tigers. He made his first appearance of these playoffs in the sixth and seventh innings in Game 5 and surrendered a double to Kirk on his very first pitch, then a go-ahead RBI single to Clement two batters later. Woo also hit Springer on his right kneecap with a 95.6 mph fastball, highlighting some of the struggles he had with arm-side command.

Blue Jays: Bo Bichette was left off the Blue Jays†ALCS roster as he continues to rehab from his left knee sprain, and his status will remain a daily story in Toronto as he pushes to return in time for a potential World Series. Given that this is also the final year of Bichetteâ€s deal in Toronto, the only organization he has known, the stakes are sky high.

Otherwise, the Blue Jays are healthy. Springer is still dealing with a sore knee after that hit-by-pitch off his kneecap in Game 5, but he was able to play in Game 6.

Who is hot and who is not?

Mariners: Itâ€s hard to say that anybody is “hot†on the heels of Game 6, when the Mariners scored just two runs and stranded six baserunners. That said, they did grind out a lot of at-bats and created consistent traffic — just without cashing in. Naylor crushed his third homer this October in Game 6 that put them on the board, increasing his postseason OPS to .974. And despite an 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, Raleigh still has a 1.028 OPS this October. The Mariners will almost certainly need a crooked-number inning if they are to advance, meaning theyâ€ll need their sluggers to step up as they did in Games 1-2.

Blue Jays: Guerrero might be the hottest hitter in baseball right now. His sixth home run of this postseason alone was enough to tie him with Joe Carter and Jose Bautista for the most postseason home runs all-time in Blue Jays history. This lineup is heating up around Guerrero, too, after a massive offensive performance in the ALDS against the Yankees. Clement is batting .447, Barger launched a home run in Game 6 and Varsho is driving the ball more, a great sign from the sneaky power threat.

Anything else fans might want to know?

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TORONTO — The Blue Jays†dream season deserves a Game 7. It has already had everything else.

Game 7 doesnâ€t just tease you with the possibility of great postseason moments, it demands them. One way or the other, weâ€ll be talking about Monday night in Toronto forever. Itâ€s up to the Blue Jays to decide what those conversations sound like.

This will be just the second Game 7 in Blue Jays history, joining their Game 7 loss to the Royals in the 1985 American League Championship Series. Fans who remember that year still hold the heartbreak of that 99-win team, the most in Blue Jays history, falling so painfully short. Following Sundayâ€s 6-2 win over the Mariners in Game 6 of the ALCS at Rogers Centre, Monday night will either be the story this generation of baseball fans winces about for decades or the biggest baseball moment this city has seen since the World Series wins of ‘92 and ‘93.

An entire country will stand still to watch the Blue Jays. An entire country will turn its hope and heart to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“I play for the city. I play for my teammates. I believe in this team,†Guerrero said. “I believe in my teammates. And when you believe in your team and you believe in God, and you give everything to this city, something crazy happens. We win today, weâ€re going to flush it and weâ€re going to try and come tomorrow and win again.â€

Eight months ago, the Blue Jays opened camp with a dark cloud over the organization, Guerreroâ€s future dominating every conversation we had. Since then, he has signed a 14-year, $500 million deal and been part of one of the most surprising teams in franchise history. Everything has changed. The present, the future, all of it.

“What heâ€s done behind the scenes and how heâ€s handled being the face of a franchise is pretty unique for a 26-year-old dude,†manager John Schneider said. “To be along for the ride, I think Iâ€ve been spoiled to be along his journey as long as I have. To watch him doing what heâ€s doing right now with six homers in the postseason and great defense, running the bases well, this is what you look for from the elite players in the game.â€

These moments are so rare. That 1985 team was special. Tony Fernandez, George Bell, Lloyd Moseby and Jesse Barfield powered the lineup, none of them older than 25. The great Dave Stieb was one of the best pitchers in baseball, Jimmy Key close behind him. Itâ€s a team we still talk about in this city, but on a Wednesday in October, it all ended in Game 7.

This is the Blue Jays†opportunity to crack open a new era of baseball in this country. The ALCS runs of 2015 and ‘16 will always matter in this city, but Toronto is not a city that should have to celebrate semifinals appearances for decades. With one win, the Blue Jays can step into the World Series for the first time in 32 years.

From this roster, only George Springer, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Heineman were alive then, most of them too young to remember a thing.

“Youâ€ve got to enjoy it, man,†Schneider said. “This is what we sign up for. Whenever you can play a Game 7 to go to the World Series, it sounds cool to even say it. This is why we sacrifice everything. This is why players sacrifice everything. This is special and unique, but you have to look at it as a game.â€

The Blue Jays are not the juggernaut everyone feared. They are not the Dodgers, who await the ALCS winner in the World Series, their roster stacked with stars and future Hall of Famers. Theyâ€re the 2025 Blue Jays, though, and that has gotten them this far.

Widely projected as a mid-range team entering the season, maybe one that could sneak above .500 with a little luck, the Blue Jays have had the season every team dreams of in Spring Training. Everything has gone right. Everything they claimed theyâ€d do, theyâ€ve done.

Now, it all needs to come together one more time to reach the World Series. From players like Guerrero, who has been with this organization a decade, through the big-name free agents like Gausman and Springer, it all needs to come together. This includes Game 7 starter Shane Bieber, brought in just more than three months ago for a moment just like this.

“It means everything,†Bieber said. “Iâ€m very excited for the opportunity. I think itâ€s a culmination of a lot of events and hard work to get to this point, and a lot of things had to line up, most notably the first six games of the series, Trey [Yesavage] and the guys that come up big tonight to lead to tomorrow. It will be no different than the other games of this series.â€

It will, though. Years from now, we wonâ€t be talking about Game 6. No matter what, weâ€ll be talking about Game 7.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-2 at home to force a decisive Game 7 in the American League Championship Series.

Vladdy launched his sixth home run of the postseason, setting the Blue Jays’ franchise record for the most in a single playoff run.

Guerrero Jr. went 2-of-4 at the plate with a single home run. Addison Barger added in three RBIs on 2-for-3 hitting with a home run. Isiah Kiner-Falefa finished with a RBI.

Blue Jays ace Trey Yesavage set the tone early with a commanding performance on the mound, striking out seven over 5.2 innings while allowing just six hits and two earned runs.Â

MLB fans were thrilled as Vladdy and the Blue Jays forced an ALCS Game 7.Â

The Blue Jays refused to go home on Sunday, jumping out to a dominant start while holding Seattle to two straight three-up, three-down innings.

Barger hit a RBI double to bring in Daulton Varsho for the game’s first run in the second inning, followed by Kiner-Falefa reaching on an infield single to score Ernie Clement.

With a 2-0 lead entering the third, Barger launched a two-run homer to give the Blue Jays a 4-0 advantage. Guerrero Jr. added to the lead in the fifth with a solo home run.

Seattle responded in the fifth, plating two runs before Guerrero Jr. scored on a throwing error by Cal Raleigh to extend Toronto’s lead to 6-2.

With one last chance in the top of the ninth, the Mariners couldn’t rally, and the Blue Jays held on for the win to force Game 7.

The Blue Jays lost the first two games of the ALCS at home but responded by taking the next two on the road to even the series.

Seattle pulled back ahead with a home win before the matchup returned to Toronto for the final two games, where the Blue Jays fought back once more to tie the series 3-3 on Sunday.

While the Mariners and Blue Jays continue their battle in the American League, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been waiting to see who they will face in the World Series after sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17.

The winner-take-all Game 7 of the ALCS will remain in Toronto, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.

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SEATTLE — Did you really think George Springer would miss this game? No chance.

When John Schneider texted Springer on Sunday morning ahead of Game 6, Springer told his manager to stop asking. When Schneider approached Springer in the clubhouse after he arrived at Rogers Centre, Springer told him to beat it. Respectfully, of course, but there was no conversation left to have.

If Springer could walk, he was playing, and heâ€s back in the lineup for Game 6 of the ALCS, batting leadoff.

Springer took a 96 mph fastball off his right kneecap from Seattleâ€s Bryan Woo in Game 5, and in the moment, it looked more serious than the “right knee contusion†Springer has escaped with. Springer underwent an X-ray in Seattle, and he then went straight for a CT scan after the Blue Jays landed back in Toronto near 3:30 a.m. ET.

“He was in good spirits yesterday, I think just getting some reassurance with the CT scan coming back [negative],†Schneider said. “It was going to take a whole lot more, I think, to keep him out of the lineup. So he was feeling better yesterday, feeling better today.â€

Springer is a necessary piece of this team, fresh off a renaissance season in which he hit a career-high .309 with 32 home runs and a .959 OPS. Heâ€s set the tone for the Blue Jays on the bases, too, inventing the new position of “OPâ€, which means “offensive player.†Being a DH involves running the bases, too, Springer believes, so youâ€ll see OP, not DH, next to his name in the lineup that hangs in the Blue Jays†clubhouse.

These are the types of games the Blue Jays brought Springer to Toronto to have a moment in, too. The 2017 World Series MVP came to Toronto with a reputation as one of the best postseason players in Major League Baseball. Even though itâ€s taken this organization a while to get Springer close to the World Series again, heâ€s got one more shot, and itâ€s going to take more than a heater to the knee to make him miss this.

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TORONTO — The American League Championship Series is heading to Canada once again, with the Seattle Mariners carrying the weight of history — needing just one more win to reach their first World Series.

Theyâ€ve already shown they can conquer Rogers Centre, where they took the first two games of the ALCS from the Blue Jays. Now, they return with a chance to finish the job.

“Itâ€s huge. It puts us one more win away,†Julio Rodríguez said after Seattleâ€s 6-2 victory in Game 5. “Thatâ€s the whole mentality right now: One more win.â€

This series could have easily swung the other way, but everything changed in the eighth inning of Game 5, when Cal Raleighâ€s clutch homer and Eugenio Suárezâ€s grand slam flipped the script back in Seattleâ€s favor.

The challenge now is carrying that momentum into an environment where few visitors thrive.

“We have a tough road ahead of us,†Raleigh said. “We know theyâ€re a good ballclub. We just have to go in there, play our kind of game, be aggressive and do what we do.â€

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, arenâ€t fazed by having their backs against the wall. Toronto posted the best home record in the American League during the regular season (54-27, .667) and has responded well whenever its season has teetered.

Winning twice in their own building — something theyâ€ve done often in 2025 — is the only path forward, and theyâ€re embracing it.

“Iâ€d say weâ€re in a great spot,†said the Jays†Ernie Clement. “Weâ€ve got a chance. Thatâ€s all we need.â€

When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET (5:03 p.m. PT) on Sunday at Rogers Centre and can be seen in the United States on FS1.

Blue Jays fans in Canada can tune in via Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ for the broadcast with Buck Martinez, Dan Shulman and Hazel Mae, or listen to the radio call with Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

All series are available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games also are available live internationally, although not in Canada. Sportsnet is MLB’s exclusive English language broadcaster in Canada for every Postseason game, while TVA Sports will be covering the entire AL Postseason and the World Series in French and Broadcaster RDS will cover the entire NL Postseason in French.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Mariners: The Mariners officially locked in Logan Gilbert (1-0, 2.45 ERA) for this start the day before Game 6. Gilbert was tagged for some hard contact in ALCS Game 2 but was also working on just two days†rest after pitching in relief in the Mariners†15-inning marathon in ALDS Game 5 vs. Detroit. Seattleâ€s Opening Day starter, however, will be on an extra dayâ€s rest this turn through. Last Monday in Toronto, Gilbert surrendered three runs that tied the game before being lifted after 58 pitches and three innings. He was either right over the plate or far from it, but again, the necessary adjustments might be made now that heâ€s back on his normal routine.

What might the starting lineups look like?
Mariners: Manager Dan Wilson made his second notable shakeup in as many days on Friday, moving Randy Arozarena out of the leadoff spot for the first time since July 30, pairing him back to back with Suárez and shifting Julio Rodríguez to the top. Rodríguez has three homers this postseason, including two in the first inning. After Friday’s win, that’s likely to remain his go-to look.

Blue Jays: This all depends on George Springer, who left Game 5 after taking a 96-mph fastball off his right knee. Heâ€ll do everything possible to play, though, and if Springer can bat leadoff, the Blue Jays could roll out a similar lineup to Game 5:

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Mariners: Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash and Gabe Speier — Seattleâ€s three highest-leverage relievers — combined to allow just one hit over three scoreless innings in Game 5, and theyâ€ll almost certainly all be used with the chance to go for the knockout punch in Game 6. Bryan Woo is probably unavailable after pitching two innings on Friday in his first outing since suffering pectoral inflammation Sept. 19. Eduard Bazardo, however, has only pitched twice in this series and was this groupâ€s unsung hero. Heâ€s climbed the leverage ladder this October, and heâ€ll also be utilized.

Blue Jays: Brendon Little and Seranthony Domínguez allowed the big blows in the crushing Game 5 loss, but the Blue Jays will surely need them again. Jeff Hoffman will be fresh, too, along with Louis Varland, but perhaps John Schneider asks for more from someone like Braydon Fisher, the rookie whoâ€s come out of nowhere to become a core piece of this bullpen in 2025. If Yesavage has a shorter outing, both Chris Bassitt and Eric Lauer will be available for multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Any injuries of note?
Mariners: Woo, at long last, made his first appearance of these playoffs when pitching the sixth and seventh innings in Game 5, when he surrendered a double from Alejandro Kirk on his very first pitch then a game-tying RBI single to Ernie Clement two batters later. Hitting Springer with a 95.6 mph fastball also highlighted some of the struggles he’s had with glove-side command. While the Mariners were excited to get their best starter in the regular season back out there, because heâ€s been built up as a starter and had such a long layoff, it remains unclear what his availability would be for the rest of this ALCS.

Blue Jays: Bo Bichette was left off the Blue Jays†ALCS roster as he continues to rehab from his left knee sprain, and his status will remain a daily story in Toronto as he pushes to return in time for a potential World Series. Given that this is also the final year of Bichetteâ€s deal in Toronto, the only organization he has known, the stakes are sky high.

Who is hot and who is not?
Mariners: Raleigh is having an epic October, now with four homers to tie Jay Buhner (1995) for the second-most in a single postseason in franchise history (behind Ken Griffey Jr.’s six in ’95). He also has two doubles, six singles and seven walks, good for a 1.127 OPS in 39 at-bats. He now returns to the venue where heâ€s hit better than anywhere. Arozarena, meanwhile, has struggled to the point that Wilson dropped him out of the leadoff spot; heâ€s now hitting .150 in 40 playoff at-bats.

Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still on fire. The Mariners chose to intentionally walk him twice in Game 5 after he scorched a double into the left-center gap and we could see more of that in Game 6. Clement is still one of the hottest players in the postseason, too, batting .429 while Lukes (.333) continues to serve as a great No. 2 hitter between Springer and Guerrero. It feels like Kirkâ€s bat is waking up, too, with a home run in Seattle and a hard double in Game 5. Outside of Guerrero, the Blue Jays need someone to step up and help lift this offense.

Anything else fans might want to know?
Mariners

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SEATTLE (AP) — As Eugenio Suárez crossed home plate, he formed a heart with his hands as he has countless times.

Suárez suddenly stopped, pointed toward his wife in the stands behind home plate and took a second to embrace the moment. His bat had brought the Mariners within a victory of the first World Series trip for a team that started play in 1977.

Suárez hit a go-ahead grand slam after Cal Raleighâ€s tying drive in a five-run eighth inning, giving the Mariners a 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series.

“Iâ€ve been waiting for games like this my whole career,†Suárez said. “Today, I had it. Today, I had it in front of our crowd, in front of my family, my two daughters, my wife, and the moment is very special right now.â€

Suárez also homered in the second inning for Seattleâ€s first run, and the Mariners became the first home team to win in the series.

Game 6 is at Toronto on Sunday night.

“For our fans, theyâ€ve been waiting a long time for this moment and weâ€re here to give it to them. Weâ€re here to fight for a World Series,†Suárez said.

Raleigh, a switch-hitting catcher who led the major leagues with 60 home runs during the regular season, was hitting right-handed for the first time in the series when he led off the eighth by pulling a 2-0 sinker from loser Brendon Little.

“I came in and really couldnâ€t have pitched worse,†Little said.

The 348-foot drive rose 155 feet above the field on a high arc and had a 6.7-second hang time before it dropped over the left field wall at T-Mobile Park.

“It felt like Calâ€s ball was in the air for like an hour,†Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.

Raleighâ€s fourth homer of the postseason tied the score 2-2.

“Obviously it was really high, so you never know in this building,†Raleigh said. “Luckily today the roofâ€s closed.â€

Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor walked, and Seranthony Domínguez relieved and hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch.

Suárez fouled off a 2-2 fastball, then hit an opposite-field drive to right, and the ball landed several rows into the seats for his fourth slam this season.

“Obviously, this is the biggest home run of my career,†Suárez said.

Suárez, who had put Seattle ahead in the second against Kevin Gausman, entered the game in a 6-for-50 slump. He was reacquired from Arizona at the trade deadline, finished the regular season with 49 homers and has three in the playoffs.

“Iâ€ve been waiting for this for a long time,†Suárez said. “Itâ€s been a while (since) Iâ€ve had a game like this today. It was awesome being able to hit that grand slam there to give the win to my team, to the fans. Theyâ€ve been here supporting us all year long.â€

Seattleâ€s Bryce Miller was pitching shutout ball when he was removed after allowing Addison Bargerâ€s leadoff single in the fifth, and George Springer hit an RBI double off Matt Brash.

Springer left in the seventh when he was hit on the right kneecap by a 95.6 mph sinker from Bryan Woo.

“Heâ€s got a right knee contusion. He had X-rays, which were negative, which is a good thing.,†Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “George is about as tough as they come. I think heâ€ll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday.â€

Pitching for the first time since Sept. 19 after recovering from pectoral tightness, Woo allowed Ernie Clementâ€s go-ahead single in the sixth.

Gabe Speier got the win with a perfect, nine-pitch eighth inning. Toronto wasted many chances, going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

Raleigh turned only the second 2-3 grounded double into play in postseason history when Clement tapped the ball onto the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning. Raleigh grabbed the ball with a foot on the plate for a forceout, then threw to first.

The prior 2-3 DP in Game 2 of the 2000 ALCS was turned by Wilson with the New York Yankees†Bernie Williams at the plate.

“Thatâ€s what heâ€s done all season long,†Wilson said of Raleigh, “both sides of the ball.â€

Up next

Rookie RHP Trey Yesavage, who started Game 2 of both the AL Division Series, will start for the Blue Jays in Game 6. The Mariners scored five runs off the 22-year-old on Monday.

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