Blue Jays Edge Mariners 6-2 in ALCS Game 6, Set Up Winner‑Take‑All Game 7
Oct, 21 2025
When Toronto Blue Jays took the field at Rogers Centre on , they knew a win would push the series to a decisive finale. The American League Championship Series Game 6Rogers Centre ended 6‑2 in Toronto’s favor, forcing a winner‑take‑all Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners. The victory kept the franchise’s first World Series berth since 1993 alive and set the stage for a showdown that could rewrite the AL narrative for 2025.
Series Overview and Stakes
Both clubs entered the postseason riding impressive regular‑season resumes. Toronto finished the 162‑game schedule at 94‑68, clinching the AL East, while Seattle posted a 90‑72 record to win the AL West. The ALCS had already swung like a pendulum: the Blue Jays seized Game 1, the Mariners answered in Game 2, Toronto rebounded in Game 3, and Seattle forced a tie with a 6‑2 win in Game 5 on October 17.
That back‑and‑forth created a rare "best‑of‑seven" scenario where every run mattered. The margin of error was razor‑thin, and the lower half of Toronto’s lineup suddenly looked like a secret weapon.
Game 6 Highlights
The early innings were a defensive nightmare for Seattle. In the second inning, Kyle Marshall ripped a drive to center that landed in the glove of Mariners’ center fielder Luis Rodriguez. Rodriguez mishandled the ball, kicking it awkwardly and allowing Jared Hershaw to sprint to second for an unexpected double.
Later, in the fourth, Ernie Clement, batting sixth, turned a routine grounder into a pivotal moment. He sent the ball toward third base, where Mariners’ third baseman Yenio Suárez fumbled it for the series’ fourth error. Clement reached safely, and the ensuing rally produced two more runs.
Toronto’s bullpen held firm, limiting Seattle to just two runs on five hits. The final line—6‑2—reflected both a potent Blue Jays offense and a Mariners defense that seemed to be running out of juice.
Key Performances
- Ernie Clement (Blue Jays): .429 batting average in the postseason, three RBIs in Game 6.
- Kyle Marshall (Blue Jays): 1‑0 with a double, igniting the early scoring.
- Jared Hershaw (Blue Jays): 1‑2 with a double in the fourth, driving in the go‑ahead run.
- Seattle’s starting pitcher Logan Gilbert: 5.1 innings, three hits, two runs.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised his bench, saying, "The guys from the bottom of the order have been the spark we needed. When they get hot, the whole team feeds off that energy."
Mariners' Defensive Woes
The series‑wide error count for Seattle climbed to four, an unusually high total for a team that logged a collective .985 fielding percentage during the regular season. In addition to Suárez’s misplay, Rodriguez’s center‑field gaffe and a missed catch by left fielder Ethan Coppinger compounded the problem.
Baseball analyst Mike Axford noted, "Seattle’s defense has been their backbone all year. When that starts to crack in a high‑stakes series, the margin for error disappears quickly."
That sentiment echoed throughout the clubhouse, with Mariners’ shortstop Cal Raleigh conceding, "We’ve got to tighten up. One more miscue and that’s all the room we have left."
What Game 7 Might Hold
Game 7 will return to Rogers Centre on October 22, 2025, with the winner earning a berth in the World Series — a championship the Blue Jays have not seen since their 1993 triumph.
If the Blue Jays continue to lean on their lower‑order firepower, they could overwhelm Seattle’s starting rotation, which has been solid but not dominant in the series. Conversely, the Mariners still boast a potent offense headlined by slugger Ty France, who is batting .318 with eight home runs in the playoffs.
Both managers stress the psychological edge. Schneider added, "We’re feeding off the crowd, the energy, and the fact that we just proved we can win with our backs to the wall." Mariners’ skipper Scott Servais countered, "We’ve learned from the mistakes, we’ve got the talent, and we’re going to finish what we started."
Key Facts
- Date of Game 6: October 19, 2025
- Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto
- Final score: Toronto Blue Jays 6, Seattle Mariners 2
- Series tied 3‑3, setting up Game 7 on October 22
- Blue Jays regular‑season record: 94‑68 (AL East champions)
- Mariners regular‑season record: 90‑72 (AL West champions)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the outcome of Game 7 affect the Blue Jays' chances of winning the World Series?
A win in Game 7 would push Toronto into the Fall Classic, the first appearance since 1993. Historically, the Blue Jays have advanced from a tied ALCS and captured the title three times in the 1990s, so momentum could swing in their favor, especially with their hot lower‑order bat.
What were the pivotal moments that turned Game 6 in Toronto's favor?
Two key moments stood out: Kyle Marshall’s early double after a misplay by Luis Rodriguez, and Ernie Clement’s error‑induced reach that sparked a fourth‑inning rally. Both sequences generated runs that Seattle never recovered from.
Why have the Mariners struggled defensively in this series?
Seattle has committed four errors, three of which occurred in Games 5 and 6. The pressure of a tight series appears to be amplifying miscommunication, particularly in the outfield where Rodriguez and Coppinger have fumbled routine plays.
Who are the likely starting pitchers for Game 7?
Toronto is expected to go with ace Kevin Gausman, who has a 2.00 ERA in the postseason. Seattle will likely counter with left‑hander George Kirby, who posted a 2.45 ERA in the ALCS so far.
What does this series mean for the broader AL landscape?
If Toronto wins, it would mark a rare East‑vs‑West showdown and could signal a shift back toward the dominance of Canadian franchises in the AL, echoing the early‑1990s era. A Mariners victory would cement Seattle’s resurgence after a decade of playoff droughts.