Toronto defeats Seattle 4-3 to win ALCS; Springer delivers signature October moment as Guerrero named ALCS MVP. George Springer completed the Toronto Blue Jays’ most important comeback since 1993 with one swing that seemed to shake Rogers Centre to its foundation.
His three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted the Blue Jays to a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night, sending Toronto to its first World Series in 32 years.
For the Blue Jays, who trailed 3-1 in the seventh and were six outs from elimination, the comeback was a defining moment for a franchise reborn. Manager John Schneider, adhering to a superstition he and hitting coach David Popkins had shared all season, took a seat on the dugout bench as the bottom third of Toronto’s lineup — a mix of journeymen and defensive specialists — sparked the rally against Mariners reliever Bryan Woo.
That set the stage for Springer, who hobbled to the plate on a sore right knee that had been drilled by a 95-mph sinker in Game 5. The Mariners, who had pounded him inside all series, stayed with the plan. Right-hander Eduard Bazardo, chosen by manager Dan Wilson over closer Andrés Muñoz, threw two straight two-seam fastballs inside. The first missed off the plate. The second didn’t — and Springer didn’t miss it.
He turned on the pitch and launched it deep into the left-field stands — not far from the spot where Joe Carter hit his iconic walk-off in the 1993 World Series. Rogers Centre erupted as Springer rounded the bases, his 23rd career postseason home run tying him for the third-most in MLB history.
“When I hit it, I didn’t even feel the ball,” Springer said. “I just knew it was gone. This is why you play the game.”
From there, Toronto’s bullpen closed the door, with Jordan Romano striking out Julio Rodríguez to seal the win and spark a celebration decades in the making.
The home run was more than just a game-winner — it was a reflection of Springer’s renaissance season. After batting just .220 in 2024, the 36-year-old bounced back this year to hit .309 with 32 home runs and a .959 OPS as Toronto’s full-time designated hitter. His resurgence mirrored the Blue Jays’ own revival, as they vaulted from a 74-win last-place team in 2024 to 94 wins and an AL East title in 2025.
For Springer, who hit 19 of his 23 postseason homers with the Houston Astros before joining Toronto in 2021, Monday night was personal. Mariners fans had cheered when he was injured earlier in the series. The Blue Jays didn’t forget. “It’s fitting,” one teammate said during the champagne celebration. “They cheered when he went down, and he ended their season.”
While Springer’s heroics sealed the pennant, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named ALCS MVP after a dominant series in which he hit .385 (10-for-26) with three home runs, three doubles, and a 1.330 OPS.
After the final out, Guerrero — who signed a record 14-year, $500 million extension to remain in Toronto — was overcome with emotion as he addressed the jubilant crowd. “Before that inning, I went down the tunnel, got on my knees, and prayed,” Guerrero said. “God answered. We’re going to the World Series.”
Toronto’s Game 7 victory capped a thrilling ALCS between two evenly matched clubs. The Mariners, seeking their first-ever World Series appearance, fell just short despite strong pitching and a 3-1 series lead.
Now, the Blue Jays turn their attention to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning champions aiming to become the first repeat World Series winner in 25 years. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday night at Rogers Centre.
As the crowd sang and the players embraced on the field, Springer’s blast still echoed through the dome — a reminder that, for the first time in a generation, the Toronto Blue Jays are four wins away from a championship.
