Daily Double Play: Your MLB Update

## Game 7 Recap: Blue Jays Rally to Claim AL Pennant

In a tense winner-take-all showdown on Monday night at Rogers Centre, the Toronto Blue Jays overcame a 3–1 deficit to defeat the Seattle Mariners, 4–3, and secure their first American League pennant since 1993. Seattle opened the scoring when Julio Rodríguez led off the game with a double and scored on a Josh Naylor RBI single. The Mariners added solo homers from Rodríguez in the third and Cal Raleigh in the fifth to build a 3–1 cushion, with starter George Kirby allowing just one run over four innings before departing. Toronto starter Shane Bieber kept the deficit manageable, surrendering two runs and seven hits in 3⅔ innings while striking out five. The pivotal moment arrived in the bottom of the seventh when George Springer—battling through a knee injury—launched a three-run homer off Eduard Bazardo, a 381-foot blast to left field that ignited a 44,770-strong crowd and flipped the score to 4–3. Reliever Kevin Gausman navigated around three walks in a scoreless seventh to earn the win; Chris Bassitt and Jeff Hoffman combined for four scoreless innings of relief to close out the pennant-clinching victory. ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/mlb/events/90355/RECAP?utm_source=openai))

## Key Performances and Player Statistics

George Springer’s go-ahead blast marked his fourth home run of the postseason, capping a series in which he hit .303 with five RBIs and demonstrated his trademark resilience in clutch situations. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto’s emerging superstar, set the table throughout the series, finishing Game 7 with two hits to boost his ALCS batting average to .385 (10-for-26) with three home runs, three doubles, and four walks over seven games. For Seattle, Cal Raleigh continued his late-season tear—he led all of MLB with 60 regular-season home runs and added one in Game 7, giving him 10 playoff homers in just 15 career postseason games. Julio Rodríguez, in his first postseason Game 7, delivered timely contact with a double and a solo shot, though the Mariners were unable to hold the lead. On the mound, Toronto’s bullpen trio combined for seven shutout innings: Gausman (1 IP), Bassitt (1 IP), and Hoffman (1 IP, 3 K). ([thescore.com](https://www.thescore.com/mlb/events/90355/RECAP?utm_source=openai))

## ALCS MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was unanimously selected as the ALCS Most Valuable Player after a series-long display of power and plate discipline. Guerrero’s .385 average was complemented by a .538 on-base percentage and six extra-base hits, including three solo homers that each corralled wins for Toronto. His postseason resume through 11 games now stands at a .442 batting average with six home runs and 12 RBIs. Despite a comparatively modest regular season (.292 average, 23 homers, 84 RBIs), Guerrero’s elevation in October has been a catalyst for Toronto’s deep playoff run. “He’s showing why he’s one of the premier hitters in the game,” said manager John Schneider. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/blue-jays-star-vladimir-guerrero-jr-bags-alcs-mvp-honor--flm-2025-10-21/?utm_source=openai))

## Emotional Toll on Seattle: Cal Raleigh’s “Failure”

The defeat was especially gut-wrenching for the Mariners and their franchise leader in home runs, Cal Raleigh. Visibly emotional in his postgame interviews, Raleigh described the season as a “failure,” lamenting the missed opportunity to deliver Seattle’s first World Series berth after nearly half a century in the majors. Teammates and fans alike were moved by his tears and raw honesty. Manager Dan Wilson sought to temper the disappointment, praising the Mariners’ unprecedented 90-win campaign and their first ever appearance in a Game 7, even as the sting of defeat remained palpable. “They accomplished things no Seattle team has ever done,” Wilson noted. ([people.com](https://people.com/cal-raleigh-cries-as-he-calls-season-a-failure-after-mariners-game-7-loss-11833968?utm_source=openai))

## World Series Preview: Dodgers Await in Fall Classic

With their AL pennant secured, the Blue Jays will host the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series beginning Friday, October 24, at 8:00 p.m. ET in Toronto. Game 1 will feature a battle between former LSU teammates: Kevin Gausman (Blue Jays) and rookie Paul Gervase (Dodgers). Gausman, a 13-year veteran making his first Fall Classic start, posted a solid 2.00 ERA over 18 postseason innings, while Gervase—though less experienced—adds intrigue as a recent July acquisition who could be a wild card in the Dodgers’ bullpen. The series will air on FOX, with streaming available on FOX Sports and MLB.TV for authenticated subscribers. Toronto holds home-field advantage by virtue of its 94-win regular season, one more than Los Angeles. ([decider.com](https://decider.com/2025/10/21/world-series-2025-schedule-start-date-how-to-watch-blue-jays-dodgers-world-series/?utm_source=openai))

## MLB World Series Scheduling: Fixed Fall Classic Dates

In August, Major League Baseball confirmed that there would be no flexible schedule adjustment to start the World Series earlier, officially setting Game 1 for October 24. This decision ensures a consistent postseason calendar, with Games 2–7 slated for October 25, 27, 28, 29*, 31*, and November 1*, respectively. The move follows feedback from teams and broadcasters after experimenting with a flexible start in previous years. As a result, pitchers and position players alike can prepare with certainty, and fans nationwide can plan viewings without concern for last-minute date changes. ([nbclosangeles.com](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/mlb/world-series-schedule-start-date-format-2025/3791265/?utm_source=openai))