Browsing: Mariners

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 — 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.

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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 — 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 — We knew the path to the promised land was always going to include a heavy dose of sky-high anxiety, right?

This is the Mariners, after all, the only organization to have never played in the World Series. If you were hoping for peaceful closure to this American League Championship Series on Sunday, youâ€re going to have to hang in for another night.

And after a 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays in Game 6 of the ALCS, Seattle faces elimination for just the second time in these playoffs — with a winner-take-all Game 7 slated for Monday night, right back here at Rogers Centre.

Win, and they advance to play the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, beginning on Friday in Los Angeles. Lose, and this storybook season comes to a stunning end, compounded by what would be one of the franchiseâ€s more stinging finishes, given that they had series leads of 2-0 and 3-2.

“This game is very psychological over physical,†said first baseman Josh Naylor, who put the Mariners on the board with a solo homer in the sixth when they were down 5-0. “I think if you could beat someone down mentally, you’ll beat them physically right away.

“It’s sort of like boxing. I love watching boxing. Me and my dad watch boxing together all the time, and the great boxers beat someone down mentally, and then physically, it becomes one punch and you’re done.â€

What made Sundayâ€s loss more frustrating for Mariners fans who made the 2,500-mile trek to Toronto and the hundreds of thousands who watched back home in Seattle was that it featured one spoiled opportunity after another.

The Mariners on Sunday became the first team with three or more errors while grounding into three or more double plays in a playoff game since the Yankees in Game 2 of the 2009 ALCS.

Seattle twice had the bases loaded in the early going and twice hit into an inning-ending double play — in both the third and fourth innings — with precisely the players it would want up in those spots.

Cal Raleigh, whoâ€s tormented Toronto for his entire career, chopped a first-pitch splitter from Trey Yesavage that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fielded to go 3-6-1. Then an inning later, J.P. Crawford — who has a 1.104 OPS in his Mariners career with the bases loaded — was on the hook for a 4-6-3, when rolling over an 0-2 splitter off the plate. Julio Rodríguez made it a hat trick in the fifth with another double play, though the Mariners only had one runner on then.

Per Elias, the Mariners are the third team over the last 10 years to ground into a double play in three straight innings during a postseason game, joining the Dodgers in Game 2 of the 2018 NLCS and the Yankees in Game 5 of the 2024 ALCS. Those Yankees and the 1987 Giants (Game 7 of NLCS) are the only two teams since 1940 to do this during a potential series-clinching game.

“I thought I hit my ball hard,†Raleigh said. “Obviously, I’ve got to get it in the air, so no excuses there. J.P. is battling with two strikes. It’s just one of those things that it’s baseball. We were fighting up there, giving everything we could, and hit it right at guys.â€

Overall, the Mariners have been able to create traffic, but theyâ€ve struggled mightily to cash in since this series shifted to Seattle. Even including Eugenio Suárezâ€s incredible, game-winning grand slam in Game 5, the Mariners are just 6-for-40 (.150) with runners on base since Game 3.

“I think we did a good job of putting some pressure on at times, and sometimes you’re not going to come through,†Naylor said. “And that is what it is. It’s baseball. You can prepare as well as you can. You can feel the best you can. But sometimes, it’s just not going to go your way. And that is what it is. But I feel like we did have a lot of chances, and tomorrow we’ll come through with them.â€

Then there were the three errors, all of which directly led to Blue Jays runs.

Rodríguez bobbled a one-hopper in front of him in the left-center gap that turned a single into two bases for Daulton Varsho, who went on to score from second base easily on an RBI single into right field from Addison Barger in the second inning.

In that same inning, Suárez had trouble corralling a scorching grounder from speedster Ernie Clement, who reached to put two on with nobody out. Clement then scored from third base when Suárez attempted to barehand a slow roller but came up empty on the grab.

Then in the seventh, a wild pitch from Matt Brash with Guerrero on second base forced a rushed throw from Raleigh that sailed into left field and allowed Torontoâ€s all-world slugger to score easily. Guerrero also had a booming solo homer to lead off the fifth inning and end Logan Gilbertâ€s night.

“We could have played a maybe cleaner game,†Rodríguez said. “We definitely set the table a few times, but we couldn’t capitalize. And that’s part of the game, too. But they definitely played a good game. They put up some good swings.â€

Gilbert was tagged for five runs (four earned) and paid mightily for the mistake pitches he left over the plate, saying that the loss was “on me.†But that doesnâ€t quite paint the entire picture, because had a few at-bats gone the other way or multiple mistakes not been made, the Mariners mightâ€ve found themselves right back in it.

But they instead face a Game 7, where they still control their own destiny but also face the reality that anything can happen.

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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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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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Oct 18, 2025, 07:58 PM ET

TORONTO — The Seattle Mariners have never been this close to reaching the World Series.

It still feels distant to pitcher Logan Gilbert.

“We’re still a long ways away,” Gilbert said Saturday, the day after a 6-2 comeback victory in Game 5 that put Seattle one win away from its first American League pennant. “We’re nine long innings away from where we want to be, and I think everybody gets that.”

Whether it takes nine innings or 15, as it did in the AL Division Series clincher, Gilbert and the Mariners will get their shot at the pennant on Sunday, taking a 3-2 lead into AL Championship Series Game 6. The winner of the best-of-seven series faces the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Friday.

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“It’s huge,” Gilbert said. “It’s been such a long year. Just to get to this point is amazing. But to be the one to have the ball, you grow up dreaming of moments like this, and you don’t know how many you’ll get over the course of your career. Some guys never get this. So it’s a really big deal.”

Gilbert threw 34 pitches in two scoreless innings of relief in that 15-inning win over Detroit on Oct. 10, then started Game 2 of the ALCS three days later. Staked to a 3-0 lead before he took the mound, Gilbert allowed three runs — two earned — and five hits over three innings as Seattle won 10-3.

This time, the 2024 All-Star will face Toronto on five days’ rest.

“That’s the playoffs and that’s kind of the fun of it, too,” Gilbert said of his irregular schedule last time around. “But we’re kind of creatures of habit, too, so it’s nice being back in the normal routine.”

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Gilbert’s mental makeup plays a big role in his success.

“Logan is a guy you love to give the ball to,” Wilson said. “He’s that guy that has that focus, that desire to win, and he wants the ball in these situations. He’s ready for tomorrow for sure.”

One loss from elimination, Toronto will counter with rookie Trey Yesavage, who has made two of his five big league starts during this postseason run.

Yesavage set a Blue Jays postseason record by striking out 11 over 5 1/3 hitless innings against the New York Yankees in the Division Series. He allowed five runs and four hits in four innings, taking the loss in ALCS Game 2.

“We were fairly patient when we had to be,” Wilson said of his team’s approach against Yesavage in Game 2. “I think that was a big key for us. When we were able to get pitches that we were able to hit, we were able to do something with them.”

Like Gilbert, Yesavage said he understands just how rare a chance he’s getting by starting Game 6, noting a discussion he had with rotation mate Kevin Gausman.

“This opportunity does not come up very often,” Yesavage said. “I was talking to Gausman the other day and I said, ‘What’s the furthest you’ve made it in the playoffs?’ He said, ‘This is the furthest I’ve gone.’ And he’s been playing this game for a long time. So I’m very blessed to be in this situation.”

Yesavage’s big league experience is limited but impactful.

“He’s pitched in a lot of big games,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s pitched in big regular- season games, he’s pitched in big postseason games, and he’s handled himself well. We’ve got all the confidence in the world that he’ll have the right mindset. He’s got to go out and do what he does.”

Schneider said he hopes to have designated hitter George Springer available Sunday. Springer was hit on the right kneecap by a 95.6 mph pitch from Bryan Woo in the seventh inning Friday and had to leave the game.

“Feeling a lot better than he did yesterday,” Schneider said of his leadoff batter.

The 36-year-old Springer, a four-time All-Star, is hitting .256 with three home runs and five doubles this postseason. His 22 career playoff homers are tied with Bernie Williams for fourth most in baseball history.

Wilson said right-hander Bryan Woo was experiencing minor soreness after pitching two innings Friday, his first appearance in almost a month. Woo had been sidelined because of pectoral inflammation.

“Getting him in the game was big, getting him out there and comfortable,” Wilson said. “He feels good today. Obviously, a little bit of soreness where you would expect it. But again, this is an exciting time of year, and I would expect him to be ready to go going forward here out of the bullpen.”

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Oct 18, 2025, 09:15 AM ET

Shohei Ohtani put the exclamation point of exclamation points on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, striking out 10 in six shutout innings on the mound and blasting three home runs at the plate in Friday’s Game 4.

The Dodgers will face the Seattle Mariners or Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series.

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The Mariners, behind a game-tying solo home run from Cal Raleigh and a grand slam by Eugenio Suarez slam during a five-run eighth inning, knocked off the Blue Jays in Game 5 on Friday to take a 3-2 lead in the ALCS. It was the first win by the home team in the series.

Game 6 is Sunday in Toronto. The Blue Jays would host a Game 7 on Monday if they can extend the series.

For more on the MLB playoffs, check out live MLB playoff analysis and updates, as well as each team’s odds to win the World Series.

Odds as of publish time. For more, visit ESPN BET Sportsbook.

Cal Raleigh’s fourth home run of the playoffs evened the score in Friday’s Game 5. Steph Chambers/Getty Images

ALCS

Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Game 6: Sunday, 8:03 p.m. ET (FS1)

• Starters: TBD vs. Trey Yesavage

• Money line: Blue Jays -125, Mariners +105

• Spread: Blue Jays -1.5 (+170), Mariners +1.5 (-215)

• Run total: 7.5 (Over -105, Under -115)

Game 7*: Monday, 8:08 p.m. ET (FOX/FS1)
*If necessary

Game 1: Mariners 3, Blue Jays 1
Game 2: Mariners 10, Blue Jays 3
Game 3:Blue Jays 13, Mariners 4
Game 4: Blue Jays 8, Mariners 2
Game 5: Mariners 6, Blue Jays 2

NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Dodgers win series, 4-0

Game 1: Dodgers 2, Brewers 1
Game 2: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
Game 3: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
Game 4: Dodgers, 5, Brewers 1

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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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With the bases loaded, Eugenio Suárez’s grand slam in the eighth sealed it for the Seattle Mariners, lifting them to a 6-2 win Friday and a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series.

Seattle jumped out to a 2-0 series lead on the road before Toronto battled back to even the series on Thursday.

The Mariners regained the advantage when Cal Raleigh hit a clutch home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game, setting the stage for Suárez’s grand slam to seal the win.

Suárez went 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBIs, while Raleigh added a RBI on a solo homer, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate.

Mariners ace Bryce Miller got the start, striking out four while allowing four hits, two walks and one earned run over four innings.

Fans erupted over Suárez’s grand slam that secured the Mariners’ series lead.

Suárez put the Mariners on the board with a 396-foot home run in the second inning, giving Seattle a 1-0 lead over the Blue Jays.

In the top of the fifth, a double from Blue Jays’ George Springer brought home Addison Barger from second to even the score at 1-1.

Alejandro Kirk followed with a double in the sixth, setting up a RBI from Ernie Clement that gave the Blue Jays their first lead of the game, 2-1.

Raleigh delivered the game-tying home run in the eighth, a deep shot that just cleared the wall to even the score at two. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Suárez launched an opposite-field grand slam to send the crowd into a frenzy and give Seattle a 6-2 lead and the win.Â

While the Mariners and Blue Jays battle in the ALCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers are facing off in the National League Championship Series to determine who advances to the World Series.

Los Angeles currently leads that series 3-0 and will look to complete the sweep Friday night.

The series between the Mariners and Blue Jays will shift back to Toronto for a decisive Game 6 on Monday, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.

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