2025 MLB Playoffs: Analysis from the Blue Jays’ ALCS Game 3 win
The Toronto Blue Jays needed to bounce back, and they did.
Toronto stormed back into Game 3 of the American League Championship Series with a home run barrage that led to a dominant 13-4 win over the Seattle Mariners, cutting Seattle’s series lead to 2-1 after the Blue Jays lost the first two games at home.
How did Toronto win its first ALCS game? We’ve covered the biggest moments, takeaways and a look at where the series goes from here.
Main links: How Vlad Jr. and Jace bet on each other | LCS Update | bracket
Ready meals
Seattle leads the series 2-1
It’s over when… Even after the Blue Jays’ five-run blast off George Kirby in the third inning, there was at least hope for a Seattle comeback. George Springer then delivered a two-out exclamation point in the fourth inning with a 431-foot home run to center field and Vladimir Guerrero followed by delivering a second exclamation point in the fifth inning with another blast to center field. The Jays’ bats are back. -David Schoenfeld
3 star game: After delivering a two-run homer to Julio Rodriguez in the first inning, Blue Jays shortstop Shane Bieber simplified his pitch combination and leaned into his slider, shutting out the Mariners in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, as Toronto continued to build an insurmountable lead. – Buster Olney
Stats that defined Game 3: The Blue Jays are the third team in MLB history to score more than 10 runs in three games before the World Series, in a single season, according to ESPN research.
What does it mean to continue with the rest of the series: When Rodriguez hit a 112.2 mph home run in the first inning, it looked as if the Jays were about to be eliminated in this Series. But now they’re back in the AL Championship Series battle, with 41-year-old Max Scherzer lining up to make his 31st postseason appearance, facing the Mariners’ Luis Castillo.
The most important moments
Seattle is back in the eighth for the first time since the first half
Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh are back!
(MLB× @CitizenWatchUS) pic.twitter.com/sOzVyH0Cvo
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2025
It’s raining housemates! Alejandro Kirk’s 3-run mash makes it 12-2
Kirk’s turn! #Iwantall pic.twitter.com/wv6UXOcHrU
– Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 16, 2025
Vlad Jr. adds a home run of his own as the Jays pile on
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. With his own explosion! #ALCS pic.twitter.com/cSLgLywe1V
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2025
Daulton Varsho 2-RBI hats off a 5-run double for Toronto
Daulton Varsho pitched a 5-inning inning for @bluejays! pic.twitter.com/lbrDBbr4ei
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2025
The Blue Jays answer with a blast — and now we’re tied
Andres Jimenez ties the match! #ALCS pic.twitter.com/drtdQh8gQ1
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2025
J-Rod hits a two-run home run to give the M’s an early lead
Julio Rodriguez 2-RUN BLAST! #ALCS pic.twitter.com/olXcF7mzh4
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2025
Josh Naylor wears an old KD jersey before Game 3
good luck @sailors…Good bounce Josh https://t.co/26FrDN4UNO
– Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 15, 2025