Blue Jays defeat Mariners in ALCS Game 7 on late George Springer home run: Live reaction and updates – The New York Times

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The Toronto Blue Jays are heading back to the World Series for the first time in 32 years, thanks to a dramatic seventh-inning three-run home run from George Springer.
Springer jumped on the second pitch he saw from Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo, inserted into the game despite Seattle having closer Andres Muñoz well-rested. The veteran designated hitter's blast transformed a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 Toronto lead, which held up as the final score.
The Blue Jays advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series. Game 1 is in Toronto on Friday.
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Mariners-Blue Jays Game 7 takeaways: George Springer blasts Toronto into the World Series
The Toronto Blue Jays never quit. They were down 2-0 in the ALCS. They were down 3-1 in Game 7 of the ALCS.
They overcame the series deficit. They overcame the Game 7 deficit. And are now off to the World Series.
Unbelievable.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins the ALCS MVP. It is fitting given the postseason he's had. Six homers, tying a Blue Jays franchise record.
💬: “We do this for you guys. The job is not finished. We got four more to go.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., fighting through tears, speaks to Sportsnet after the game as the fans cheer on this special moment.
💬: “We do this for the city. We do this for y’all. Four more baby. Four more.”
George Springer, who delivered the heroic 3-run HR, spoke to Sportsnet's Hazel Mae after the game about his epic performance:
💬: “I’m just so happy for everyone here. Our city. Our country. This is for them.
“I just tried to get the guy in from third.“
George Springer has been in these moments before. And the Blue Jays’ ALCS Game 7 hero knows it’s not all about him. Here he is speaking to our own Ken Rosenthal about his dramatic home run on FOX:
💬 “The at-bats before me. If it’s not for those guys, that moment doesn’t happen. I’m so happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country. I’m so happy right now.”
Springer also downplayed any affects of his injured knee, which was hit by a fastball in Game 5.
💬 “It doesn’t matter. I owe it to these fans, this city, this country to give it my all. So, I’ll take it.”
What a fantastic matchup this is going to be. Dodgers trying to do what the Jays did once upon a time: go back-to-back. It's Shohei Ohtani vs. Vlad Guerrero Jr. It's LA vs. Toronto, a couple of great cities.
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The thing about a Game 7 in October — or a winner-take-all Game 5 in October — is that everyone feels awful until it’s over. Then one team pops champagne, and the other cries.
It’s miserable, this beautiful game.
The Mariners could not shake the curse. They are still one of only five teams without a World Series ring. They have never even made the World Series. And here they were, one win from a pennant, and they could not close out a series in which they twice appeared to be in complete command.
The last moment Mariners fans weren’t apoplectic was when Bryan Woo went back out for the seventh inning. The Mariners led, 3-1. Woo walked the leadoff man. Then he threw a horrific two-strike sweeper to light-hitting Isiah Kiner-Falefa. That’s when Dan Wilson made the managerial mistake of a lifetime, calling upon Eduard Bazardo out of the bullpen instead of Matt Brash or Andrés Muñoz. George Springer needed only one swing to send Rogers Centre into a frenzy and take a lead the Jays would not relinquish.
Here’s an updated version of a “Mariners ALCS appearances” graphic that was shown on the Fox broadcast in the ninth inning:
Agony.
I don't know where this ranks among Game 7 home runs in MLB playoff history, but it has to be up there…
What a swing …
What a moment …
Toronto is back in the World Series after 32 years.
The 2025 World Series is set.
Dodgers at Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday for all the international marbles.
What a ball game. George Springer earned the Blue Jays a date with the Dodgers, starting Friday at 8 p.m. at Rogers Centre. And the Mariners — oh, the Mariners. Seattle will be suffering with this one for quite a while. A heartbreaking defeat.
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▶️ It’s OVER. The Toronto Blue Jays advance to the World Series. They defeat the Seattle Mariners 4-3, rallying thanks to George Springer’s 3-run HR in the bottom of the seventh.
It is Toronto’s first World Series appearance since 1993. They will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, with Game 1 Friday night.
What a game! Time to celebrate, Canada! | FINAL: Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3
Jeff Hoffman is all right.
▶️ Jeff Hoffman strikes out Dominic Canzone for out number two. One out away | Top 9th Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3
▶️ Jeff Hoffman strikes out Leo Rivas with the high fastball. Now it's Dominic Canzone pinch hitting. Two outs away. | Top 9th Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3
The last Game 7 before this one was in the 2023 NLCS, when the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies on the road. The pitcher who gave up the go-ahead hit that night just entered the game for Toronto: Jeff Hoffman.
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For those hungry for An Opinion about another pitching change: I say let it ride with Jeff Hoffman. The Blue Jays were not a good pitching staff this season. They do not have many trustworthy arms in the ’pen. Hoffman has pitched in big moments before. Pitching tonight after throwing 35 pitches yesterday? It’s a big ask. But that’s what the adrenaline is for.
▶️ The Blue Jays threaten but do not score. Jeff Hoffman comes in the top of the ninth for the Blue Jays. Rivas, Robles, Rodriguez due up for Seattle. Here we go. | Top 9th Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3
Rivas. Robles. Rodriguez. And, just maybe, Raleigh. It all comes down to this for the Mariners.

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