TORONTO (AP) — Wow, Canada! The World Series is heading to Toronto for the first time in 32 years. George Springer hit a powerful three-run homer in the seventh inning, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to victory over the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
With this win, the Blue Jays claimed their first pennant since 1993. They will face Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. “The job’s not finished. We got four more to go,” said Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the ALCS MVP.
The Seattle Mariners fought hard, taking a 3-1 lead but couldn’t hold it. Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez each hit solo homers for Seattle. Raleigh expressed disappointment, saying, “What we expected was to get to the World Series and win. That’s the standard.” Despite their efforts, Seattle remains the only major league team without a pennant.
Toronto manager John Schneider praised Springer’s performance. “There’s probably not another person on Earth that I want up other than George Springer,” he said. This moment is historic; it’s the first go-ahead homer in Game 7 history when a team trailed by multiple runs in the seventh inning or later.
Springer is now tied for third place in postseason home runs with 23, just behind Manny Ramírez, who holds the record with 29. “Unbelievable moment,” Springer reflected. “So happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country.”
This victory marks an impressive comeback for Toronto. They became only the fourth team in MLB history to lose the first two games at home in a best-of-seven series and still win. The others are the 1985 Kansas City Royals, 1986 New York Mets, and 1996 New York Yankees.
The Blue Jays’ success has reignited excitement among fans, with conversations trending on social media about their journey. Many fans express pride in their team, calling it “Canada’s team.” Blue Jays chairman Edward Rogers noted, “I think it’s an inspiration for 41 million people in Canada.”
Kevin Gausman stepped up, earning the win despite previous struggles, while Chris Bassitt and Jeff Hoffman contributed strong performances. As the game unfolded, the energy in the stadium intensified, creating a memorable atmosphere for all involved.
Historically, the Blue Jays last faced a Game 7 in 1985, losing to the Kansas City Royals in Toronto. The sense of redemption was palpable as they reminded everyone that they are ready to chase another title. Guerrero even arrived at the park wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, joking about breaking a “curse” with their win.
The Dodgers, also strong contenders, have been to the World Series five times since 2017, aiming for their third championship in six years. Toronto had back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993, and now they hope to add a third.
Both teams have shown incredible resilience this season, and as they prepare for the series, fans are eager to witness how this thrilling matchup unfolds.
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