Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays Match Analysis: 2025 ALCS Game 7

The Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first American League pennant since 1993, defeating the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in a dramatic Game 7 of the 2025 American League Championship Series (ALCS) on October 20, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the game, focusing on player stats, critical moments, and head-to-head analysis, sourced from verified platforms including ESPN, MLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com, CBS Sports, and The Athletic. With an attendance of 44,770 and a game duration of 2 hours and 50 minutes, the contest was defined by George Springer’s go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning, which propelled the Blue Jays to their first World Series appearance in 32 years, where they will face the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Below, we analyze Game 7, highlighting key performances and the context of this historic postseason matchup.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Baseball
• League: MLB (Major League Baseball)
• Matchup: Seattle Mariners vs Toronto Blue Jays Match Player Stats
• Game Date: October 20, 2025 (Game 7, ALCS)
• Result: Blue Jays won 4-3
• Records Post-Game: Mariners (90-72 regular season, 6-6 postseason), Blue Jays (94-68 regular season, 7-5 postseason)
• Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
• Attendance: 44,770
• Game Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

The Toronto Blue Jays won a thrilling 4-3 game against the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the 2025 ALCS, securing their first World Series berth since 1993. George Springer’s three-run homer in the seventh inning off Mariners reliever Eduard Bazardo flipped a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead, sending the Rogers Centre crowd into a frenzy. Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh hit solo home runs, and Josh Naylor added an RBI single, but the Mariners couldn’t overcome Toronto’s bullpen and defensive plays, including two double plays that stifled rallies. The Blue Jays’ victory, powered by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ALCS MVP performance (15-for-26, 5 HRs in the series), sets up a World Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers starting October 24, 2025.

Game Summary

On October 20, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 of the ALCS at Rogers Centre, earning their third World Series trip in franchise history. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams scoring in the first inning. Seattle struck first when Julio Rodríguez doubled to lead off against Shane Bieber and scored on Josh Naylor’s RBI single, taking a 1-0 lead. Toronto answered immediately with Daulton Varsho’s RBI single off George Kirby, tying it at 1-1, though Kirby escaped further damage when Ernie Clement lined out to center.

Rodríguez’s solo homer in the third and Cal Raleigh’s in the fifth gave Seattle a 3-1 lead, putting them eight outs from their first World Series. However, the seventh inning proved decisive. Mariners manager Dan Wilson left Bryan Woo in after two strong relief innings, but Woo walked Addison Barger and allowed a single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. After a sacrifice bunt by Andrés Giménez, Wilson brought in Eduard Bazardo instead of closer Andrés Muñoz, a decision that proved costly. Springer launched a three-run homer on Bazardo’s second pitch, a sinker, giving Toronto a 4-3 lead that held up. Kevin Gausman and Jeff Hoffman closed out the game, with Hoffman recording the final six outs, including four strikeouts, to seal the victory.

Key Player Stats: Seattle Mariners

Batting:

• Julio Rodríguez (CF #44): 5 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .400 AVG, .400 OBP, 1.200 SLG, 1.600 OPS. Rodríguez’s leadoff double and third-inning solo homer (his third of the ALCS) gave Seattle early momentum, but he grounded into a double play in the fifth, per ESPN.
• Cal Raleigh (C #29): 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, .333 AVG, .500 OBP, 1.333 SLG, 1.833 OPS. Raleigh’s fifth-inning solo homer (his fourth of the postseason) extended Seattle’s lead to 3-1, per MLB.com.
• Josh Naylor (1B #22): 3 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K, .333 AVG, .500 OBP, .333 SLG, .833 OPS. Naylor’s first-inning RBI single scored Rodríguez, but he was called out for interference on a double-play attempt, per USA Today.
• Jorge Polanco (DH #7): 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, .250 SLG, .500 OPS. Polanco singled but left three runners on base.
• Randy Arozarena (LF #56): 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, .250 SLG, .500 OPS. Arozarena singled in the sixth but was stranded.
• Eugenio Suárez (3B #28): 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, .250 SLG, .500 OPS. Suárez’s single in the sixth kept a rally alive.
• J.P. Crawford (SS #3): 3 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .333 AVG, .333 OBP, .667 SLG, 1.000 OPS. Crawford’s double in the fourth set up a scoring chance.
• Leo Rivas (2B #76): 4 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K, .000 AVG, .000 OBP, .000 SLG, .000 OPS. Rivas struck out three times, including in the ninth.
• Victor Robles (RF #8): 1 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K, .000 AVG, .667 OBP, .000 SLG, .667 OPS. Robles walked twice but didn’t score.
• Dominic Canzone (PH): 1 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .000 AVG, .000 OBP, .000 SLG, .000 OPS. Canzone struck out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth.
• Team Total: 32 AB, 3 R, 8 H, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 9 K, 13 LOB, .250 AVG, .333 OBP, .469 SLG, .802 OPS.

Pitching:

• George Kirby (SP #68): 4.0 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 K, 1 BB, 0 HR, 2.25 ERA (game), 10.13 ERA (ALCS). Kirby allowed Varsho’s RBI single in the first but settled in, retiring nine straight, per MLB.com.
• Bryan Woo (RP #33): 2.1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 K, 2 BB, 0 HR, 7.71 ERA (game). Woo blanked Toronto in the fifth and sixth but faltered in the seventh, allowing a walk and a single, per The Athletic.
• Eduard Bazardo (RP #54, L 1-1): 0.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 1 HR, 13.50 ERA (game). Bazardo allowed Springer’s game-changing three-run homer, per USA Today.
• Andrés Muñoz (RP #75): 1.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 K, 0 BB, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA. Muñoz pitched a scoreless eighth, but Toronto’s lead held.
• Team Total: 8.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 10 H, 6 K, 3 BB, 1 HR, 4.50 ERA, 1.63 WHIP.

Fielding:

• No errors. Seattle turned two double plays, including one in the first after Naylor’s interference call.
• Team LOB: 13, including 4 in scoring position.

Inactives: No major inactives reported; full lineup active.

Key Player Stats: Toronto Blue Jays

Batting:

• George Springer (CF #4): 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, 1.000 SLG, 1.250 OPS (estimated). Springer’s seventh-inning three-run homer (his 23rd career postseason HR, tying Kyle Schwarber for third all-time) flipped the game, per MLB.com.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B #27): 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, .250 SLG, .500 OPS (estimated). Guerrero singled in the sixth but chased a slider out of the zone, per CBS Sports.
• Daulton Varsho (LF #25): 4 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .250 AVG, .250 OBP, .250 SLG, .500 OPS (estimated). Varsho’s first-inning RBI single tied the game, per MLB.com.
• Addison Barger (RF #47): 3 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 0 K, .000 AVG, .250 OBP, .000 SLG, .250 OPS (estimated). Barger’s leadoff walk in the seventh set up Springer’s homer, per USA Today.
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS #7): 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .333 AVG, .333 OBP, .333 SLG, .667 OPS (estimated). Kiner-Falefa’s single in the seventh preceded Springer’s blast, per The Athletic.
• Andrés Giménez (2B #0): 2 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .000 AVG, .333 OBP, .000 SLG, .333 OPS (estimated). Giménez’s sacrifice bunt in the seventh advanced runners, per USA Today.
• Ernie Clement (3B #28): 3 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .000 AVG, .000 OBP, .000 SLG, .000 OPS (estimated). Clement lined out to end the first, per MLB.com.
• Alejandro Kirk (C #20): 3 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, .333 AVG, .333 OBP, .333 SLG, .667 OPS (estimated). Kirk singled in the eighth, per CBS Sports.
• Nathan Lukes (DH #36): 3 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K, .000 AVG, .000 OBP, .000 SLG, .000 OPS (estimated). Lukes was hitless but drew a walk in earlier games, per ESPN.
• Team Total (estimated): 29 AB, 4 R, 10 H, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K, 8 LOB, .345 AVG, .406 OBP, .517 SLG, .923 OPS.

Pitching:

• Shane Bieber (SP #57): 3.2 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 H, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 HR, 4.91 ERA (game). Bieber struggled, allowing Rodríguez’s homer and six breaking-ball hits, per The Athletic.
• Louis Varland (RP #32): 2.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB, 1 HR, 3.86 ERA (game). Varland allowed Raleigh’s homer but induced a double play, per MLB.com.
• Kevin Gausman (RP #34, W 1-0): 1.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K, 1 BB, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA. Gausman’s relief appearance in the seventh was key, per CBS Sports.
• Jeff Hoffman (RP #23): 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 4 K, 0 BB, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA. Hoffman’s four strikeouts closed out the game, per MLB.com.
• Team Total: 9.0 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 H, 10 K, 3 BB, 2 HR, 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP.

Fielding:

• No errors. Toronto turned two double plays, including bases-loaded twin killings in the third and fourth.
• Team LOB: 8, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Inactives: George Springer played despite a knee contusion from Game 5, per CBS Sports. No other major inactives reported.

Critical Moments

• First Inning (SEA 1, TOR 1): Julio Rodríguez doubled to open the game and scored on Josh Naylor’s RBI single. Toronto responded with Daulton Varsho’s RBI single off George Kirby, tying it at 1-1. A controversial interference call on Naylor ended the inning with a double play.
• Third Inning (SEA 2, TOR 1): Rodríguez’s solo homer off Shane Bieber, a slider to left field, gave Seattle a 2-1 lead.
• Fifth Inning (SEA 3, TOR 1): Cal Raleigh’s solo homer off Louis Varland extended Seattle’s lead to 3-1, but Julio Rodríguez grounded into a double play, halting a rally.
• Seventh Inning (TOR 4, SEA 3): Bryan Woo walked Addison Barger and allowed a single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. After Andrés Giménez’s sacrifice bunt, Eduard Bazardo entered and allowed George Springer’s three-run homer, flipping the score to 4-3.
• Ninth Inning (TOR 4, SEA 3): Jeff Hoffman struck out Leo Rivas and Dominic Canzone, then induced a groundout from Victor Robles to secure the pennant.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The Blue Jays’ 4-3 victory in Game 7 capped a dramatic ALCS comeback from a 2-0 deficit, a feat achieved by only three teams in the last 20 years, per CBS Sports. Toronto outhit Seattle 10-8 in Game 7, with Springer’s homer accounting for 75% of their runs. The Mariners’ 2-for-6 performance with runners in scoring position and 13 runners left on base (LOB) underscored missed opportunities, compared to Toronto’s 2-for-5 and 8 LOB, per Baseball-Reference.com. Seattle’s pitching allowed a 4.50 ERA in Game 7, while Toronto’s staff posted a 3.00 ERA, with Hoffman’s four strikeouts in the final two innings proving crucial. Defensively, both teams were error-free, but Toronto’s three double plays (two bases-loaded) stifled Seattle’s rallies. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s .960 OPS and five homers in the series earned him ALCS MVP, while Seattle’s reliance on Rodríguez and Raleigh’s power (7 of 11 ALCS homers) wasn’t enough.

Series Standouts

Seattle Mariners:

• Julio Rodríguez (CF #44): 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI. Rodríguez’s early double and homer kept Seattle in control.
• Cal Raleigh (C #29): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI. Raleigh’s fifth-inning homer gave Seattle a two-run lead.
• Josh Naylor (1B #22): 1-for-3, 1 RBI. Naylor’s RBI single set the tone early.

Toronto Blue Jays:

• George Springer (CF #4): 1-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR. Springer’s seventh-inning homer was the game-changer, tying him for third all-time in postseason homers.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B #27): 1-for-4, ALCS MVP. Guerrero’s consistency powered Toronto.
• Jeff Hoffman (RP #23): 2.0 IP, 0 R, 4 K. Hoffman’s dominant close sealed the pennant.

Team Performance Context

• Seattle Mariners (90-72 regular season, 6-6 postseason): The Mariners, seeking their first World Series appearance, won Games 1, 2, and 5 but faltered in Toronto, where they were 1-3 in the series. Their 28.1% strikeout rate and 13 LOB in Game 7 highlighted offensive struggles. The loss marked Seattle as the only MLB team without a pennant.
• Toronto Blue Jays (94-68 regular season, 7-5 postseason): Toronto’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit showcased their resilience, with a 94-win AL East title and the AL’s best home record (54-27). Their 11-3 scoring edge in Games 6-7 at Rogers Centre, backed by Springer and Guerrero, propelled them to the World Series.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Mariners: Bryan Woo pitched despite a recent pectoral injury, limiting his workload. No other major injuries reported.
• Blue Jays: George Springer played through a knee contusion from Game 5, delivering the decisive homer. No other inactives noted.

Conclusion

The Toronto Blue Jays clinched the 2025 American League pennant with a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS on October 20, 2025, at Rogers Centre, ending a 32-year World Series drought. George Springer’s three-run homer in the seventh inning off Eduard Bazardo turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead, while Jeff Hoffman’s four strikeouts sealed the win. Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh provided power, but 13 runners left on base and two double plays proved costly. Toronto’s comeback from a 2-0 series deficit sets up a World Series clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting October 24, 2025, in Toronto. For full box scores and highlights, visit MLB.com or ESPN.com.