The Toronto Blue Jays reignited their American League Championship Series hopes with a commanding 13-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 3, powered by five home runs and a stellar pitching performance from Shane Bieber. This win cuts the series deficit to 2-1 and shifts momentum back to Toronto as they aim to extend the playoff battle.
Facing elimination after dropping the first two games of the ALCS, the Blue Jays entered T-Mobile Park in Seattle with their season on the line. The Mariners had seized control with strong performances at Rogers Centre, but Toronto’s offense exploded in Game 3, tallying 18 hits and demonstrating the power that has defined their playoff run. The victory not only keeps their World Series aspirations alive but also underscores their resilience under pressure.
Seattle struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Julio Rodríguez launched a two-run homer off Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, that early lead proved short-lived as Toronto’s lineup responded with authority. The Blue Jays’ five-run third inning turned the tide, highlighted by Andrés Giménez’s two-run blast to tie the game and Daulton Varsho’s two-run double that capped the rally.
Shane Bieber steadied himself after the rocky start, delivering six innings of work with eight strikeouts and only two earned runs. His composure on the mound provided a foundation for the offensive outburst, and he later credited his teammates for picking him up. Bieber’s performance echoed his Cy Young-caliber pedigree, reminding fans why he remains a key asset in high-stakes situations.
The Blue Jays’ power display continued throughout the game, with George Springer adding a solo homer in the fourth inning—his 22nd postseason blast, tying him for fourth all-time. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with a solo shot in the fifth, and Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer in the sixth extended the lead to 12-2. Addison Barger capped the scoring with a solo blast in the ninth, marking the fifth different Toronto player to go deep.
Seattle managed a late response with back-to-back home runs from Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh in the eighth inning, but it was too little to mount a comeback. Mariners starter George Kirby struggled, allowing eight runs over four innings, while the Blue Jays capitalized on his mistakes. Toronto’s aggressive approach at the plate, emphasizing damage over mere contact, paid dividends in the lopsided win.
With the series now at 2-1, Game 4 looms as a critical contest, with the Blue Jays aiming to even the matchup and force a return to Toronto. Manager John Schneider highlighted the team’s adjusted mentality and trust in each other as key factors in the victory. The road team has won all three games so far, setting the stage for another intense battle in Seattle.
The Blue Jays’ dominant performance not only keeps their postseason alive but also serves as a reminder of their offensive firepower. As the series progresses, both teams will need to adjust strategies, with Seattle seeking to reclaim control and Toronto building on this momentum. The outcome of Game 4 could determine whether the ALCS returns to Canada or ends on the road.