Springer’s three-run blast sends Blue Jays to World Series

When Toronto Blue Jays clinched a spot in the World Series on Monday, October 20, 2025, a three‑run homer turned a 1‑1 tie into a 4‑3 win over the Seattle Mariners in American League Championship Series – Game 7Rogers Centre. The decisive swing came from George Springer, outfielder for the Blue Jays, who launched a seventh‑inning blast off reliever Eduard Bazardo. The crowd erupted, and Toronto’s 32‑year championship drought finally cracked.

The Road Back: From Two Losses to Game 7 Glory

The series didn’t start in anyone’s favor. Seattle stole the first two games at home on October 13 and 14, putting the Blue Jays on the brink of elimination. Rather than folding, Toronto rallied in Seattle, taking two of the next three contests (October 16‑18) to force a decisive Game 7 back in Toronto. Those wins were fueled by timely hitting from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the same power that would later define Springer’s heroics.

Finishing the regular season with a 94‑68 record, the Blue Jays earned the top seed in the American League East. Their resilience mirrored the 1993 championship squad, though none of the current players were alive when that team lifted the trophy.

Springer’s Heroics: The Seventh‑Inning Three‑Run Homer

After a quiet first six innings, the game sat dead‑locked at one run each. In the bottom of the seventh, Seattle called on Eduard Bazardo, a 28‑year‑old right‑hander, to quell the threat. What happened next felt like a movie set. Springer stepped into the box, swung, and sent a sinker splashing into the left‑field seats. The ball sailed over the fence, charging the crowd with a three‑run advantage.

Springer’s fist‑pump as he rounded the bases became an instant meme on social feeds. The roar inside Rogers Centre reverberated onto the streets of Toronto, echoing the city’s longtime yearning for baseball glory.

Pitching Duel and Jeff Hoffman’s Historic Finale

While the offense stole the spotlight, the bullpen delivered a piece of history. In the top of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman, the 32‑year‑old reliever, faced three batters and struck out each one. He became the first pitcher to record a three‑strikeout inning in a Game 7’s final frame since Calvin Schiraldi did it in the 1986 ALCS.

Seattle’s closer, Bryan Woo, had already been pulled after a shaky appearance in the eighth. The Mariners, who entered the series with a league‑best 90‑72 record, couldn’t recover from the momentum shift.

Reactions: Players, Coach, and Fans

Blue Jays manager John Schneider rushed onto the field moments after the final out, pulling Springer into a celebratory hug near home plate. “We believed in each other all season,” Schneider said, his voice cracking with emotion. “Tonight, those belief‑points turned into a city‑wide celebration.”

Fans streamed out of Rogers Centre chanting “Blue Jays! Blue Jays!” for nearly an hour. Somewhere on Queen Street West, a group of longtime supporters lit up the sky with fireworks that mirrored the fireworks that had filled the stadium.

Seattle’s captain, Ty France, acknowledged the pain: “We fought hard, and it hurts. But credit to Toronto; they earned it.” The Mariners’ season ended, yet their fanbase vowed to return stronger next year.

What’s Next: Dodgers Await in the World Series

The Blue Jays now turn their focus to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who secured the National League West with a 98‑64 record. The World Series is slated to begin on Friday, October 24, 2025, back at Rogers Centre, marking the first time the stadium will host the championship since 1993.

Analysts are already picking matchups. The Dodgers’ ace, Shohei Ohtani, will likely test Springer’s power with his own mound prowess. Meanwhile, Toronto’s rotation, led by Kevin Gausman, will need to contain the Dodgers’ heavy hitting.

Winter‑time sales at Jays merchandise stands have spiked by 27 % since the Game 7 victory, a clear sign that the city’s appetite for baseball is finally satiated.