Blue Jays Stun Mariners 4-3 in ALCS Game 7, End 32-Year Drought

When Toronto Blue Jays walked off the field at Rogers Centre on October 20, 2025, the roar from the 45,000‑strong crowd was more relief than celebration – a 4‑3 victory over the Seattle Mariners that finally snapped a 32‑year World Series drought. The win came in the high‑stakes Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), a showdown that felt more like a drama than a baseball game.

Game‑by‑Game Recap

The series had been a seesaw affair since it opened on October 14, with each team stealing three games. By the seventh, everything hinged on who could deliver in the clutch. Seattle jumped ahead in the top of the fifth, plating three runs on a clean‑up hit that seemed to tip the scales. But the Blue Jays answered back later that inning, narrowing the gap to 3‑2.

The turning point arrived in the bottom of the seventh. George Springer, outfielder, who turned 35 in February, stepped into the batter’s box against reliever Andrés Muñoz. On a 2‑2 count, Springer launched a three‑run homer that sent the ball soaring over the left‑field wall, flipping the score to 4‑3 in Toronto’s favor. The crowd erupted as the Blue Jays seized the lead for the first time since the third inning.

Mariners manager Scott Servais tried to rally his bullpen, but the decisive moment came in the ninth when Jeff Hoffman entered the game. The 32‑year‑old right‑hander faced three hitters – J.P. Crawford, Ty France and Julio Rodríguez – and struck out each of them on his first pitch, pulling off a feat not seen since Calvin Schiraldi did it in the 1986 ALCS. Hoffman’s flawless ninth cemented the win and earned him the ‘save’ credit.

Key Performances and Stats

• George Springer recorded his 17th postseason homer, a three‑run blast that accounted for 75% of Toronto’s runs.
• Jeff Hoffman struck out three batters on three pitches, posting a 0.00 ERA for the game.
• Seattle’s Andrés Muñoz surrendered the decisive home run after previously delivering two scoreless innings.
• Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised his team’s resilience, noting the “never‑say‑die” attitude that defined the series.
• Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez went 2‑for‑4 with an RBI, but it wasn’t enough.

Historical Context

This win marks the Blue Jays’ first ALCS victory since their 1995 appearance and their first World Series berth since 1993, when they clinched back‑to‑back titles under manager Cito Gaston. The 32‑year gap has been a sore spot for Canadian baseball fans, who have watched the Red Sox, Yankees and Dodgers dominate the Fall Classic. The last time a Canadian team reached the Series, the Blue Jays swept the Phillies in ‘93, a memory still vivid for anyone who grew up with the “Silver Slugger” era.

On the other side, the Mariners made their first ALCS since 2001, ending a 24‑year postseason drought of their own. Their manager Scott Servais had promised “a new chapter” for Seattle, and while the chapter ends earlier than hoped, the team’s resurgence has already revitalized baseball interest in the Pacific Northwest.

Financial and Broadcast Impact

Post‑season payouts are huge. By advancing, the Blue Jays are slated to collect roughly $38 million in MLB’s 2025 postseason revenue distribution, a boost that will flow into player bonuses, stadium upgrades and community programs. In contrast, the Mariners walk away with an estimated $22 million shortfall, a figure that could affect their 2026 free‑agency plans.

Broadcast-wise, the game was simulcast on Sportsnet across Canada’s ten provinces and three territories, drawing an estimated 18.7 million Canadian viewers. In the United States, MLB Network carried the feed to roughly 45.3 million households. The cross‑border audience underscores how a Canadian team can still dominate the baseball conversation in the U.S., especially during a finale that felt more like a cinematic climax than a typical nine‑inning showdown.

What’s Next? World Series Preview

Toronto now faces the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series on October 25 at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, fresh off a National League pennant, will bring a star‑studded lineup featuring Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw. For the Blue Jays, the challenge will be to keep the momentum alive, especially with a bullpen that just delivered a historic ninth‑inning strikeout spree.

Analysts are already debating whether Springfield’s power will continue to dominate or if Seattle’s bullpen will become the “new” ace for the Dodgers. One thing is certain: the Blue Jays’ path to a second championship in three decades will be anything but easy.