Blue Jays win Game 7, first World Series spot since 1993

On October 20, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays sealed a 4‑3 triumph in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, sending the franchise back to the World Series for the first time since their 1993 sweep. The drama unfolded at the Rogers Centre in front of a packed crowd of 49,701 fans, and the decisive blow came when George Springer, outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays launched a three‑run homer in the seventh inning. The victory not only snapped a 32‑year championship drought but also set up a showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series.

Road to Game 7

Toronto entered the postseason after a 94‑win regular season that earned them the American League East crown. Managed by John Schneider, the Jays dropped the first two games at home on October 15 and 16, a setback that many thought could end their run. Instead, they rallied in Seattle, winning two of three games (October 18‑20) to force the decisive finale. The Seattle Mariners, boasting 91 wins and led by President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto, had never tasted a Game 7 before, making the high‑stakes atmosphere palpable.

The Decisive Seventh Inning

The turning point arrived with one out in the bottom of the seventh. After a walk to shortstop Bo Bichette and a single by star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Seattle’s reliever Eduard Bazardo served up a fastball that Springer met with a towering drive to left‑center. The three‑run blast put Toronto ahead 4‑3, and the outfielder’s jubilant sprint around the bases sent a shockwave through the stadium that "shook Rogers Centre to its core," according to the post‑game broadcast.

Key Performances and Records

Beyond Springer's heroics, the bullpen delivered a historic closing stretch. Reliever Jeff Hoffman, age 32, became the first pitcher since Calvin Schiraldi in the 1986 ALCS to strike out all three batters he faced in the final inning of a Game 7. His flawless ninth inning preserved the lead and cemented his place in postseason lore.

• Final score: 4‑3 (Blue Jays over Mariners)
• Springer’s homer: 417‑foot blast, three runs
• Hoffman: 3 K’s in the 9th, first such Game 7 feat since 1986
• Attendance: 49,701, exceeding the venue’s official capacity of 49,286
• World Series berth: first for a Canadian team since 1993

Reactions from Players and Management

In the immediate aftermath, Springer humbly credited his preparation: "I just tried to put a good swing on it. I knew Bazardo was going to try something, and I was looking for a pitch I could drive." Manager John Schneider called the home run "the biggest hit in franchise history since Joe Carter's in ’93." Club President Mark Shapiro lauded the team’s resilience, noting that the win reflected years of strategic investments, including the $150 million extension signed by Springer earlier this season.

What the Win Means for Toronto and MLB

The triumph revives a city‑wide baseball fever that has simmered for three decades. Local businesses near the stadium reported a 27 % spike in sales the night after the game, and street parades are already being planned for the World Series. For Major League Baseball, a Canadian team back in the Fall Classic re‑energizes the sport’s international market, potentially driving higher TV ratings in both Canada and the United States.

Looking Ahead to the World Series

Toronto now prepares to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who clinched the National League pennant with a 5‑2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on October 22. Game 1 of the World Series is slated for Friday, October 24, at Rogers Centre, with a potential six‑game schedule extending into early November. Analysts highlight the Dodgers’ deep pitching rotation as a challenge, but the Blue Jays’ explosive offense, led by Springer, Guerrero Jr., and a clutch bullpen, could tilt the series in Toronto’s favor.