SEATTLE — The Toronto Blue Jays were in a tough spot in the American League Championship Series, having lost their first two games to the Seattle Mariners. It was time to regroup. Manager John Schneider used some boxing imagery to rally the team, saying, “Let’s have a few less jabs and a few more uppercuts.”
The hitting coach, David Popkins, echoed this idea. He said hitting is like fighting—sometimes, when players feel stuck, they just need to swing hard. The Jays needed that attitude after struggling in the first two games, managing only four runs and one hit after the second inning.
In Game 3, things took a turn. After falling behind 2-0, they exploded offensively, hitting five homers and racking up 18 hits for a convincing 13-4 win. They were aggressive, swinging early, with every hit coming within the first three pitches.
Baseball can be unpredictable, and the 2025 season has been full of surprises. Just when a team seems down, they find a way to bounce back. The Jays, after dominating the New York Yankees in the Division Series, believed they could turn things around against Mariners’ pitcher George Kirby.
Popkins suggested a plan to counter the Mariners’ strategy of inducing weak contact. “If they want to fill it up, the counter is to punish them,” he said. It paid off. The Jays were ready for Kirby’s fastballs, and they took their opportunities.
One standout moment came from Andrés Giménez, who hit a two-run home run after a rough start to the series, tying the game. By the end of the inning, the Jays had scored five runs, including a two-run double from Daulton Varsho.
The team’s approach was clear: if they got a pitch they could hit, they were swinging. They registered 13 hits over 100 mph during the game, with many players stepping up, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who rebounded from a rough start to go 4-for-4.
Blue Jays fans and analysts alike were thrilled to see their team regain its aggressive spirit. Even though some lineup changes, like batting Anthony Santander fourth, didn’t result in hits, the energy and performance were contagious.
As the postseason continues, each game feels like a fresh start. The Jays will need to keep this momentum against Mariners’ pitcher Luis Castillo and find ways to adapt. Veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, returning from an injury for his first start since September, adds another layer of uncertainty.
Popkins emphasized the grit of the team: “We’ve got a lot of fight.” With this determination, the Blue Jays are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting next round in the series. Expect more action, more “haymakers,” and perhaps a few more uppercuts.
Source link
Toronto Blue Jays, MLB