Mariners Outlast Tigers in Longest Winner-Take-All Game
The Toronto Blue Jays will face the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series after a dramatic 3-2 Seattle victory over the Detroit Tigers in 15 innings on Friday — the longest winner-take-all game in MLB post-season history.
With the count full in the top of the 15th, Jorge Polanco delivered a clutch single off Tommy Kahnle, driving in J.P. Crawford to seal Seattle’s first ALCS berth since 2001.
Both teams had been locked at 2-2 since the seventh inning. The best-of-seven series begins Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET in Toronto, with Game 2 slated for Monday before the matchup shifts to Seattle on Wednesday.
Two Expansion Cousins Meet Again
The ALCS sets up a nostalgic showdown between the league’s 1977 expansion cousins, Toronto and Seattle. The Blue Jays captured the AL East title this year with a 94-68 record, while the Mariners surged late to win the AL West at 90-72.
Toronto went 4-2 against Seattle in the regular season, highlighted by a three-game sweep in Seattle — its first since 1991. The Mariners, however, took two of three in Toronto in April.
Both teams entered the post-season as top seeds with byes in the Wild Card round.
Blue Jays Seek Third AL Pennant
Toronto punched its ticket to the ALCS after eliminating the New York Yankees 3-1, powered by dominant starts from Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the charge offensively, batting .529 with nine RBIs, while contributions throughout the lineup underscored the club’s depth.
The Jays may receive a boost with shortstop Bo Bichette nearing return from a knee injury. Veterans Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt could also rejoin the roster, which is expected to be finalized before Game 1.
Mariners Bring Power and Momentum
The Mariners arrive with one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. Catcher Cal Raleigh, who hit a major-league-leading 60 home runs and tallied 125 RBIs, anchors the offense.
Seattle also features all-stars Randy Arozarena and Bryan Woo — Arozarena providing both speed and power with 27 homers and 31 steals, while Woo, who went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA, could return from a pectoral strain for the ALCS.
Anticipation High Across the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest has long been a second home for Blue Jays fans, with thousands traveling from British Columbia to Seattle each season.
This year, however, higher ticket prices and region-restricted sales may limit Canadian fan turnout — making T-Mobile Park potentially more favorable to the home team.
Toronto, chasing its first World Series appearance since 1993, will host the first two games before heading west to continue what promises to be a thrilling, cross-border showdown.
