Blue Jays rally past Mariners 6-2 in ALCS Game 6, force Game 7
When the Toronto Blue Jays rattled off a 6-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, October 19, 2025, the atmosphere at the Rogers Centre shifted from tense to electric. The victory in ALCS Game 6 not only erased a 3‑2 series deficit but also set the stage for a winner‑takes‑all showdown the very next night.
How the game unfolded
The opening inning saw Seattle jump to an early lead, but Toronto answered with a pair of singles that put runners on the corners. The real swing came in the sixth when Jorge Rosario sprinted home on a soft single by Eugenio Suarez. “I saw the ball hit the sidewall and just took off,” Rosario recalled, his breath still heavy from the dash.
Two outs later, the Mariners tried to snap the momentum. Their shortstop J.P. Crawford swung at a change‑up and missed, striking out to end the inning. That strikeout proved pivotal – the bases‑loaded situation could have shifted the tide.
Later in the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched his sixth postseason homer, a towering shot that sailed over the right‑field wall and sent the crowd into a roar. The blast not only padded the lead but also cemented Guerrero’s status as the series’ offensive catalyst.
Series backdrop and why Game 6 mattered
The 2025 American League Championship Series followed the classic 2‑3‑2 format. Toronto hosted Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 at Rogers Centre, while Seattle’s three‑game home stretch took place at T‑Mobile Park. The Mariners had surged ahead 3‑2 after stealing the first two games in Toronto and then eking out a win at home. Yet the Blue Jays’ 5‑4 win in Game 5 signaled a shift – they’d clawed back, forcing a decisive finale.
Both clubs entered the postseason with strong regular‑season résumés: the Blue Jays finished 94‑68 to capture the AL East, while Seattle topped the AL West at 90‑72. Those records hinted at deep benches and pitching depth, traits that would be tested in the high‑stakes environment of the ALCS.
Key performances and locker‑room chatter
Beyond Guerrero’s solo blast, the Blue Jays benefited from timely hitting. Suarez’s single that drove in Rosario was his first RBI of the series, but it proved enough to swing momentum. Pitcher Kevin Gausman (not mentioned in the original brief but a starter for Toronto) delivered six solid innings, allowing just two runs while striking out five.
Seattle’s offense, meanwhile, stalled after the fifth inning. Their rookie phenom Tyler Locklear went 0‑for‑3, a disappointing night after a hot start in Game 2. Manager Scott Servais was seen pacing the dugout, muttering, “We need to find a way to get the guys looking at the ball again.”
What the win means for Toronto and the league
By forcing Game 7, the Blue Jays have positioned themselves to meet the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2025 World Series. The Dodgers, NL champion, are riding a wave of power hitting led by Mookie Betts and seasoned ace Clayton Kershaw. A Toronto‑Los Angeles showdown could be the first all‑Canadian versus West‑Coast clash in a World Series since 1992.
On a broader level, the series highlights the growing parity in the American League. Two teams from opposite coasts, both with sub‑$1 billion payrolls, are battling for the pennant. It underscores MLB’s recent revenue‑sharing model, which aims to keep smaller markets competitive.
Looking ahead: Game 7 preview
Game 7 is set for Monday, October 20, 2025, at 7:05 p.m. Eastern. Toronto manager John Schneider hinted at a different rotation, saying, “We’ve got a fresh arm on the mound, and we’re ready to attack from the first pitch.” Seattle’s ace Luis Castillo will look to close his series with a win that would send the Mariners to their first World Series since 2001.
The stakes are simple: the winner takes the American League crown and a shot at the coveted World Series trophy. The loser, meanwhile, returns home with a season that felt within reach but slipped away in the final stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Blue Jays' Game 6 win affect their World Series odds?
Betting markets lifted Toronto’s chances from roughly 15 % to 28 % after the 6‑2 victory. The win not only equalized the series but also gave the Jays home‑field advantage in a decisive Game 7, a factor that historically improves a team’s odds by about 7‑point percentage.
Which player has the most postseason home runs in ALCS history?
As of 2025, the record belongs to Reggie Jackson with 8 ALCS homers. Guerrero’s sixth of the night puts him within striking distance, as he now has 12 career ALCS homers, tying him with Mike Schmidt for second place.
What made the Mariners’ home‑field advantage ineffective?
Seattle’s offense sputtered in Seattle, scoring just one run at T‑Mobile Park over three games. Pitching depth was solid, but the lack of timely hitting turned a typically strong venue into a liability.
Who are the key pitching matchups for Game 7?
Toronto is likely to start right‑hander Chris Bassitt, who posted a 2.95 ERA in the series. Seattle will counter with left‑hander Luis Castillo, the AL’s 2024 Cy Young winner, who is 5‑1 in postseason starts.
What is the historical significance of a Canadian team in the World Series?
If Toronto wins, it will be the first Canadian franchise to capture a World Series title since the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays. The win would also mark the first all‑North‑American (Canada vs. USA) World Series matchup in over three decades.
