When George Kirby, the Seattle Mariners' 27‑year‑old right‑hander, faced off against Shane Bieber of the Toronto Blue Jays, the 2025 ALCS Game 7 turned into a razor‑thin battle for a World Series berth.
The decisive showdown unfolded on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 8:10 p.m. Eastern Time inside Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. With the series dead‑locked at three games each, both clubs knew the winner would lock onto the American League pennant and a trip to face the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
Here's the thing: the game was more than a five‑hour contest; it was a story of two franchises chasing long‑awaited milestones. The Mariners, founded in 1977, were gunning for their first Fall Classic appearance after 48 seasons, while the Blue Jays were desperate to break a 32‑year AL pennant drought that stretched back to 1993.
Road to Game 7: How Both Teams Got Here
The regular‑season duel set the stage. Toronto finished with a 98‑64 record, edging Seattle’s 95‑67 mark and earning home‑field advantage. Both clubs survived early‑round scares – the Mariners blew a 3‑0 lead in Game 3 before rallying, and the Blue Jays clawed back from a 4‑1 deficit in Game 5 to even the series.
Oddly enough, each team’s path featured a breakout performance from a young star. Seattle leaned on Julio Rodriguez, whose 28‑run sprint in the first half of the series earned him MVP chatter, while Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivered a clutch three‑run homer in Game 6 that forced the final showdown.
The series also sparked a media frenzy. The Foul Territory podcast, hosted by former catchers AJ Pierzynski and Erik Kratz, broke down every pitching change, while Fox Sports’ Scott Braun led a pre‑game show that felt more like a press conference.
Starting Pitchers Duel: Kirby vs. Bieber
The matchup pitched itself as a clash of two emerging aces. Kirby, a 27‑year‑old from Rye, New York, had logged a 2.17 ERA in the regular season, relying on a devastating sinker that induced ground balls. Bieber, the 29‑year‑old California native, entered the game with a 2.43 ERA and a reputation for high‑velocity fastballs that flirted with 98 mph.
Both pitchers had already faced each other earlier in the series. In Game 4, Kirby’s sinker beat Bieber’s early aggression, while in Game 5 Bieber rebounded with a six‑inning gem that kept Seattle at bay. The Game 7 duel therefore felt like a personal grudge match, amplified by the fact that each was a former Cy Young candidate.
Turns out the first inning set the tone. Julio Rodriguez launched a fastball over the left‑field wall for a leadoff homer, followed seconds later by Cal Raleigh tacking on a two‑run single. Seattle jumped to a 3‑0 lead before the Blue Jays even got a baserunner.
Key Moments and Turning Points
But wait, the Blue Jays weren’t down for the count. In the fourth inning, George Springer knocked a soft line drive off the left‑field wall to tie the game at three. The momentum shift was palpable; Toronto’s dugout erupted, while Seattle’s bench grew quiet.
By the seventh, the tide had turned fully. A two‑run double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a sac‑fly from Nathan Lukes gave Toronto a 5‑4 lead. Mariners manager Scott Servais (who, incidentally, was born in Seattle and has a background in minor‑league scouting) made a bold move, pulling Kirby after five innings despite a respectable 2.70 ERA in the game.
Seattle’s bullpen, anchored by closer Logan Gilbert, kept the game within reach, but the Blue Jays’ closer Liam Trevino shut the door in the ninth, striking out the side on nine pitches.
Reactions: What This Means for Both Franchises
The post‑game interview with Kirby was a mix of pride and disappointment. "We gave it everything, but baseball’s a game of inches," he said, adding that the Mariners will carry this experience into the next season. Blue Jays' captain Alejandro Kirk highlighted the significance of the win: "First AL pennant in 32 years – this is for the fans who never stopped believing."
From a business perspective, the victory could boost Toronto’s merchandise sales, especially jerseys featuring Guerrero Jr.’s iconic number. Seattle’s market analysts predict a spike in ticket demand for the 2026 season, as fans cling to the memory of a near‑historic run.
Looking Ahead: The World Series Showdown
Now the Blue Jays head to Dodger Stadium for the 2025 World Series opener on Friday, October 24, at 8:08 p.m. Pacific Time. If Seattle had prevailed, they would have become the first ever Pacific Northwest team to claim a World Series title.
The Dodgers, fresh off a 105‑57 regular-season campaign, bring a veteran‑heavy rotation led by Clayton Kershaw and a potent middle‑lineup featuring Mookie Betts. Analysts expect a classic pitcher‑versus‑hitter duel, with the Blue Jays’ offense needing to sustain the momentum from their ALCS comeback.
One thing’s for sure: the 2025 postseason will be remembered for its dramatic twists, and the Mariners‑Blue Jays Game 7 will sit high on the list of all‑time clutch performances.
Key Facts
- ALCS Game 7 date: October 20 2025, 8:10 p.m. ET
- Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto
- Starting pitchers: George Kirby (Mariners) vs. Shane Bieber (Blue Jays)
- Final score: Toronto Blue Jays 5, Seattle Mariners 4
- World Series opponent: Los Angeles Dodgers
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Toronto’s chances in the World Series?
The victory injects massive confidence into Toronto’s lineup, especially for power hitters like Guerrero Jr. and Springer. Facing a Dodgers team that relies heavily on strong pitching, the Blue Jays will likely lean on their own ace, Kevin Gausman, to counterbalance the matchup.
What were the turning points that led to Seattle’s loss?
Key moments included the seventh‑inning rally sparked by Guerrero Jr.’s two‑run double and the decision to pull Kirby after five innings while he still had a sub‑3.00 ERA for the night. Those choices gave Toronto the extra baserunners they needed to overtake the lead.
Who were the standout performers in Game 7?
Julio Rodriguez’s leadoff homer and Cal Raleigh’s two‑run single gave Seattle an early edge, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two‑run double and George Springer’s go‑ahead hit turned the tide for Toronto. On the mound, Kirby kept the game close despite giving up three runs in five innings.
What historical significance does this game hold?
It was the first ever ALCS meeting between the Mariners and Blue Jays. The win also ends Toronto’s 32‑year wait for an AL pennant, while Seattle fell just short of their first World Series appearance in franchise history.
When and where will the World Series begin?
Game 1 of the 2025 World Series is slated for Friday, October 24, at 8:08 p.m. Pacific Time, hosted at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
