TORONTO – A timely strike. High quality presentation. Star protection.
The Toronto Blue Jays focused on the fundamentals on Sunday, and it paid off with a 6-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 6 that left both teams one win away from the World Series.
Addison Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered and starter Trey Yesavage went for the win in 5 2/3 innings as Toronto forced a deciding seventh game of the American League Championship Series on Monday night at Rogers Center.
“It's pretty damn great that we're where we are,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “I won't lie. You need to keep your foot on the gas and get ready for tomorrow.”
The winner will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Toronto hasn't competed in the Fall Classic since winning its second straight title in 1993. The Mariners have never been to the World Series.
Yesavage set the tone in Toronto's first must-win game of the postseason, striking out four of the first six batters he faced. The rookie right-hander allowed two earned runs, three walks and six hits.
Related videos
He walked away to the applause of a sold-out Rogers Center crowd of 44,764 that roared from the first pitch.
Get the latest national news
To stay on top of news affecting Canada and the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.
“It was the most electric and energetic crowd I've ever played in front of, and the team rallied around the fans,” Yesavage said. “They were a huge motivation for us.”
The road team won every game in the series until Seattle pulled out a 6–2 victory in Game 5 at T-Mobile Park.
Returning home in Game 6, the Blue Jays came out firing, hitting two straight frames. Barger's third-inning homer off Logan Gilbert gave Toronto a 4–0 lead.
Seattle's starter was removed after Guerrero led off the fifth inning with a single.
It was the Toronto slugger's sixth hit of the playoffs, tying him with Jose Bautista and Joe Carter for the most points for the Blue Jays in a single postseason.
“It's just one of those things where you expect him to do something very similar to Vladimir,” Toronto designated hitter George Springer said. “He was incredible.”
Josh Naylor of Mississauga, Ont., hit a solo homer in Seattle's two-run sixth.
Guerrero scored again in the seventh on a wild pitch from reliever Matt Brush of Kingston, Ont. Guerrero made his way to third base, and a throwing error by catcher Cal Raleigh allowed him to race home.
Toronto played three double plays that evening to avoid traffic jams. Seattle struggled defensively, making three errors on the night.
The Blue Jays pitchers also found success after a tough night for the bullpen in Game 5. Louis Varland recorded four strikeouts and Jeff Hoffman had four strikeouts in two innings.
“It was probably the best I’ve ever seen him,” Varland said of Toronto’s approach. “I mean, he was knocking everyone out. Weak contact, whatever.”
After a 94-win regular season, this is where Toronto's No. 1 seed in the American League pays off. The Blue Jays will play Game 7 and receive vocal support from their die-hard fans.
Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber was scheduled to start against George Kirby.
“We've done a really good job of passing the torch, so to speak,” Bieber said. “At the end of the day, every game is an individual game, and that’s the great thing about baseball.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
