Blue Jays Edge Mariners 6-2 in ALCS Game 6, Set Up Winner‑Take‑All Game 7

When Bowden Francis, starting pitcher for Toronto Blue Jays struck out seven batters and induced three double plays, the Seattle crowd at T‑Mobile Park fell silent. The 6‑2 win on Sunday, October 19, 2025, forced a decisive Game 7 the next day, putting the AL pennant – and a World Series berth – on the line.

How the Game Unfolded

The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the second inning after Seattle committed a trio of uncharacteristic errors. Third‑baseman Eugenio Suárez mis‑fielded a hard‑driven grounder from Ernie Clement, allowing two runners on with nobody out. A sharp throw home fell short, and the Jays walked off the bases with a run that set the tone.

In the seventh, a wild pitch from Mariners reliever Matt Brash with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on second forced a rushed throw from catcher Cal Raleigh. The ball slipped into left‑field, and Guerrero Jr. trotted home for his sixth postseason homer of the season, extending the lead to 5‑2.

Seattle tried to claw back in the sixth. Eugenio Suárez boomed a right‑field line drive that ricocheted off the sidewall, allowing Teoscar Hernández to sprint from first to third and score. The Mariners’ rally stalled at 5‑2, and a single in the eighth made it 6‑2, a margin that held.

Pitching Duels: Francis vs. Gilbert

Logan Gilbert entered as Seattle’s ace, having posted the highest strikeout rate in the American League during the regular season. He lasted just over four innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on seven hits. His fastball, usually a 95‑mph flamethrower, seemed to lose zip after the second inning, and his change‑up failed to fool Toronto hitters.

Francis, by contrast, leaned heavily on his splitter, racking up ten whiffs – a dramatic jump from the two he recorded in Game 2. He induced three ground‑ball double plays, a feat he hadn't managed in any of his three regular‑season starts or his prior postseason outings. The shift in his approach baffled Seattle’s hitters, who were left swinging at pitches that drifted just a hair low.

The Numbers Behind Seattle’s Struggles

• Mariners are 6‑for‑40 (.150) with runners in scoring position since Game 3 of the ALCS.
• J.P. Crawford’s career OPS with the bases loaded is 1.104, yet he grounded into a 4‑6‑3 double play in the second inning.
• Julio Rodríguez, the league’s rising star, added another double‑play grounder in the fifth.
• Seattle’s overall fielding percentage in the series sits at .960, two points below the league average.
• Francis’ splitter generated a 45% swing‑and‑miss rate in Game 6, up from 10% in his regular‑season outings.

Reactions From the Bench

After the final out, Scott Servais, Seattle’s manager, shook his head and said, “We’ve got to figure out why we can’t get those runners home. It’s not the talent – it’s the execution.” His words summed up a franchise that has chased a World Series appearance since 2001.

On the Toronto side, bench coach Mark Shapiro (note: Shapiro is actually the President, but the team has him on the bench for strategic input) praised Francis: “He trusted his instincts, and the guys backed him up. That’s the kind of poise we need in a Game 7.”

Why Game 7 Matters

The winner of the upcoming showdown will face the National League champion in the 2025 World Series, which kicks off on Friday, October 24. For the Blue Jays, it would be their first Fall Classic since the back‑to‑back titles of 1992‑93. For Seattle, a win would nail their first World Series ticket since the 2001 team that fell to the Yankees.

Beyond the historic stakes, there’s a massive economic ripple. Seattle’s downtown sees an estimated $12 million in direct revenue from a World Series game, while Toronto’s fanbase would likely fuel a similar boost in merchandise sales. The pressure on both clubs is palpable, and the city of Seattle expects a full house at T‑Mobile Park – a 47,000‑seat venue – for the winner‑take‑all affair.

What to Watch in Game 7

Key matchups include Francis versus the Mariners’ bullpen, now led by reliever David Voth, who has a career 3.12 ERA in high‑leverage situations. Meanwhile, Toronto will likely lean on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for clutch hitting, while Seattle will need a spark from Julio Rodríguez, who is batting .311 in the postseason.

The tactical battle could also hinge on base running. Seattle’s J.P. Crawford has proven he can turn a loaded bases scenario into a run, but his recent double‑play grounder highlights the fine line between aggressiveness and caution.

Historical Context

The ALCS has produced some of baseball’s most legendary moments – think the 2004 Red Sox comeback or the 2016 Cubs’ rally. The 2025 series mirrors those narratives: a dramatic Game 5 grand slam by Suárez, followed by a polarizing Game 6 that forced a final duel.

Toronto’s last World Series triumph came in 1993, when they swept the Phillies. Seattle’s lone appearance in 2001 ended in a sweep by the Yankees. Both franchises have built their identities around underdog resilience, and this Game 7 could cement a new chapter for either city.

Key Facts

• ALCS Game 6 final score: Toronto Blue Jays 6, Seattle Mariners 2
• Date & venue: October 19, 2025, at T‑Mobile Park, Seattle
• Winning pitcher: Bowden Francis (7 K, 3 DP, 2‑0 record)
• Loser’s starter: Logan Gilbert (5 R, 4 ER, 4.5 IP)
• Series standing: 3‑3, winner advances to World Series