The Toronto Blue Jays delivered a historic 13-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners in ALCS Game 3, powered by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s near-cycle and Shane Bieber‘s clutch pitching, cutting Seattle’s series lead to 2-1 and rekindling their “comeback kids” reputation.
The highly anticipated American League Championship Series took a dramatic turn on Wednesday night as the Toronto Blue Jays, facing elimination from a potential 3-0 deficit, launched a historic offensive assault against the Seattle Mariners. The 13-4 blowout victory at T-Mobile Park not only secured Toronto’s first win in the series but also served as a powerful reminder of their resilient “comeback kids” identity, which defined their 2025 season.
The Mariners entered Game 3 with a commanding 2-0 series lead, having won both games in Toronto. History suggests this is a strong position; teams taking a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win the series 78 of 93 times (83.9%), according to MLB.com research. However, the Blue Jays, known for their league-leading 49 comeback wins in 2025, were not ready to concede, arriving in Seattle determined to test their resilience against a surging Mariners squad.
Guerrero and Bieber Lead the Charge
Toronto’s offense was spearheaded by an electrifying performance from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was just a triple shy of the cycle. He went 4-for-4 with a single, two doubles, and a home run, adding an intentional walk to his dominant stat line. The veteran slugger’s power was a major factor in silencing the raucous Seattle crowd.
On the mound, Shane Bieber, acquired by Toronto at the trade deadline (as reported by ESPN.com), delivered a stellar performance after a shaky start. Despite giving up a two-run homer to Julio Rodríguez in the first inning, Bieber settled in, striking out eight and allowing only two runs and four hits over six innings. He famously told his teammates in the dugout to “pick me up,” and they responded emphatically. This collective effort highlights the critical role of both pitching and offensive support in postseason play.
A Historic Offensive Outburst
The Blue Jays‘ bats came alive in the third inning with a five-run rally that dramatically swung the momentum. Andrés Giménez started the scoring with a two-run homer, tying the game and igniting the dugout, a moment both Bieber and Guerrero identified as a turning point. Following Giménez, Nathan Lukes scored on a wild pitch, and Daulton Varsho drove in two more with a deep double. The relentless attack continued:
- George Springer added a solo homer.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with his own solo shot.
- In the sixth, Alejandro Kirk launched a three-run homer, pushing the lead to double digits.
- Even in the ninth, Addison Barger crushed a 414-foot solo homer at 108.3 mph for good measure.
This offensive barrage led to a postseason record, as Toronto became the first team in MLB history to hit at least five doubles and five home runs in a single playoff game.
Mariners’ Momentum Halted
For the Mariners, the loss was a stark contrast to their dominant form earlier in the series. Manager Dan Wilson, who had seen his team capture the imagination of baseball fans with a storybook season and a grueling 15-inning ALDS Game 5 victory over the Detroit Tigers, acknowledged the setback. Starting pitcher George Kirby struggled, allowing eight or more hits and eight or more runs for the second time this season. Despite this, Wilson remained optimistic, praising Kirby’s “dynamite” moments and emphasizing the team’s ability to “bounce back, being resilient.”
While Julio Rodríguez continued his stellar postseason with a first-inning two-run blast, and Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh provided back-to-back solo homers in the eighth, the Mariners’ offensive surges were too little, too late to overcome Toronto’s early lead. The sellout crowd of 46,471 at T-Mobile Park, initially buzzing with energy, began to thin as the Blue Jays kept piling on runs, a testament to the comprehensive nature of Toronto’s victory.
What’s Next: A Pivotal Game 4
The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of Seattle, heading into a critical Game 4 on Thursday. The pitching matchup is set to feature Max Scherzer for the Blue Jays against Luis Castillo for the Mariners. This game represents a crossroads for both teams: a 3-1 lead for Seattle would put them on the brink of the World Series, while a 2-2 tie would erase the Mariners’ early advantage and turn the series into a best-of-three, echoing the “refuse to lose” spirit that characterized Seattle’s 1995 team.
The Blue Jays‘ dominant Game 3 performance has injected new life into the series, demonstrating why they earned the top seed in the AL and were projected to exceed expectations. Their ability to deliver under immense pressure, coupled with their offensive depth, makes them a formidable opponent. Conversely, the Mariners must now recalibrate their pitching strategy and offensive approach to regain their early series form and avoid letting Toronto’s “comeback kids” complete a full series turnaround.
