The Toronto Blue Jays battled their way to a hard-fought Game 7 victory over the Seattle Mariners, 4–3, clinching the American League pennant and securing their first World Series appearance in over 30 years.
The Mariners, meanwhile, suffered a brutal loss to continue a disappointing trend for the franchise:
A three-run home run from George Springer in the bottom of the seventh to give the Blue Jays their first lead of the game at 4-3, sent the home crowd into frenzy and paved the way for the Toronto victory.
Springer led the charge at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, while Daulton Varsho drove in a RBI on 2-for-4 hitting. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Addison Barger each scored to keep Toronto’s offense humming.
On the mound, Blue Jays ace Shane Bieber set the tone early, striking out five over 3.2 innings while allowing seven hits and two earned runs to help anchor the Game 7 victory.
MLB fans lit up social media after Toronto’s Game 7 win, celebrating as Springer and the Blue Jays punched their ticket to the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1993..
After dropping the first two games of the ALCS at home, the Blue Jays stormed back with consecutive road victories to even the series. Seattle briefly regained control with a win at home, but Toronto answered once again, forcing Game 7 with a Sunday victory before clinching the ALCS pennant Monday night.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who swept the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS on Oct. 17, have been waiting several days to learn their World Series opponent and will enter Game 1 well-rested.
Game 1 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers is scheduled for Wednesday, with first pitch set for 8 p.m. ET in Toronto.
