10/15/25

(Seattle, WA) For the first time in 24 years, an American League Championship Series game would be played in Seattle as the Toronto Blue Jays looked to make it a competitive series against the Seattle Mariners. Seattle went to Toronto and took control of the series right out of the gate, winning both games in the Six but nobody was ready to chalk up the series just yet. One win would put the M’s one more win away from the World Series for the first time in franchise history and would give them three wins in the ALCS for the first time ever.

Just like he did in Game 1 in Seattle in the ALDS, George Kirby took the mound and looked to build on his strong outing in Game 5 of that series without having to worry about his kryptonite in Kerry Carpenter. For Toronto, it would be their big deadline acquisition in Shane Bieber taking the mound as the former Cy Young winner would hope to shake off a tough outing in his first postseason appearance with the Jays in New York.

Blue Jays 13, Mariners 4 (Game Three, Seattle Leads Series 2-1)

Seattle started fast once again after George Kirby pitched around a single and an error in the top of the 1st. In the home half, Randy Arozarena drew a leadoff walk to give the M’s their first baserunner of the night. After Cal Raleigh flew out, Julio Rodríguez came to the plate and for the second consecutive game got the M’s on the board. J-Rod watched Arozarena steal second but made sure it didn’t matter where he was at as he clobbered a fastball on the inner third 414-feet for his third home run of the postseason. Julio’s power surge continued as the Mariners grabbed a quick 2-0 lead on the no-doubter.

Seattle couldn’t extend that lead and in the top of the 3rd, the Toronto bats woke up. Ernie Clement doubled into the left field corner to begin the inning to bring Andrés Giménez to the plate. Not known for his power, Giménez swung like he was trying to do some damage and did just that, sending a similar fastball on the inner third out into the right field seats, for his first home run of the postseason and tying the game at 2-2.

Toronto wasn’t done in the 3rd yet. After a nice play by Victor Robles for the first out, Nathan Lukes continued his strong series with a base hit to center for his fourth hit of the series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would wake up in this game as well and sent a double to left to put runners on second and third with one out. Anthony Santander couldn’t get the job done and grounded out to Josh Naylor for the second out while the runners stayed put. Kirby walked Alejandro Kirk to load the bases before a wild pitch put Toronto out in front. Daulton Varsho did more damage with a double over Robles’ head in right to bring home two more and make it 5-2 Blue Jays.

George Kirby just couldn’t sneak anything by the Jays bats in this one. Toronto continued to hammer the right hander and did so with the long ball. In the top of the 4th, George Springer hit his second home run of the ALCS to center, giving him 22 career postseason homers which is tied with Bernie Williams for the 4th most all time. In the 5th, Vladdy Jr. got in on the home run party with a solo shot to center for his fourth of the postseason. A walk to Anthony Santander ended Kirby’s night in the 4th but Carlos Vargas couldn’t slow down Toronto either. Singles by Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement added on another run and Toronto was running away with it, up 8-2.

Dan Wilson didn’t want to use his high leverage arms which allowed the Jays to keep adding on. Singles by Andrés Giménez and George Springer brought Caleb Ferguson into the game but Nathan Lukes brought home another run with an RBI groundout in the 6th. After intentionally walking Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ferguson got a big second out by striking out Myles Straw to put himself one out away from ending the inning. It wouldn’t happen as Alejandro Kirk landed the knockout blow that sent some fans home early. A three-run shot to right was the catcher’s third of the postseason and put Toronto up by double digits with the score 12-2.

Something positive would happen for the Mariners in the 8th as Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh hit back-to-back solo homers, giving Arozarena his first of the postseason and Raleigh his third to make it 12-4. Seattle will hope that gets the usually incredible postseason performer in Arozarena going but Toronto got one back in the 9th on a solo shot by Addison Barger. Toronto hit five home runs on Wednesday night as they went on to route the Mariners 13-4 to cut Seattle’s series lead down to 2-1.

Notable Performances

Blue Jays

Mariners

• Julio Rodríguez- 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
• Cal Raleigh- 1-4, HR, RBI, R
• George Kirby (Loss)- 4 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

What’s Next

This was the offensive explosion that Toronto had been looking for but Seattle still holds a 2-1 series lead with the next two games still taking place in Seattle. While the M’s have homefield right now, the Blue Jays are actually 4-0 at T-Mobile Park this season which gives them a level of comfort as they try to even up the series on Thursday at 5:38pm. Toronto will go with the oldest pitcher to start a playoff game since Jamie Moyer (45) in 2007 as Max Scherzer (41) makes his 2025 postseason debut. Scherzer was left off the roster in the ALDS and will be pitching for the first time since September 24th. Seattle will have their own veteran, although much younger, in Luis Castillo on the hill in Game 4. Castillo shutout the Jays in the 2022 Wild Card Series and has not allowed a run in six innings this postseason and has allowed just one hit in the playoffs.

MLB Playoff Scores (Tuesday Night)

• Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 (Los Angeles leads series 2-0)

MLB Playoff Schedule Thursday

• Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 3, 3:08pm)- Aaron Ashby (0-0, 4.26 ERA) vs. Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners (Game 4, 5:38pm)- Max Scherzer (Playoff Debut) vs. Luis Castillo (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

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