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The Blue Jays are World Series-bound! Inside the Game 7 instant classic

ESPN

Oct 20, 2025, 11:01 PM ET

The World Series matchup is set!

After a thrilling seven-game series between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, the Blue Jays are moving on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic.

The Mariners took an early lead in Game 7 thanks to home runs by Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh, but the Blue Jays stormed back in the seventh with a three-run home run by George Springer that put the Jays up for good.

We've got it all covered for you with takeaways, top moments, the star of the game -- and what's next for the ALCS champs.

Key links: Bracket | First look at World Series matchup

Takeaways

Toronto Blue Jays 4, Seattle Mariners 3

Toronto wins series 4-3

It was over when ... George Springer's home run cleared the wall in left-center field. Springer raced around the bases, waving his arms happily, as his teammates went crazy in the home dugout. And as if it were the end of a movie: The fan who caught the home run was wearing a Springer No. 4 jersey. -- Buster Olney

Game 7 hero: Who else could it be but Springer? After getting drilled on his right knee in Game 5, he had looked terrible in his plate appearances in Game 6 and again early in Game 7. The Mariners kept challenging him with fastballs, believing he couldn't handle the velocity with his injured knee. But in the seventh inning, Springer had a Kirk Gibson moment, getting his legs underneath him enough to crush a 96 mph fastball for a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Jays a 4-3 lead. -- Olney

The stat that defined Game 7: Springer's late homer was his 23rd career postseason HR, tied with Kyle Schwarber for the third most all time.

What's next for the Blue Jays: Toronto is back in the World Series for the first time in 32 years, and though the Blue Jays will be heavy underdogs against the well-rested Dodgers, some rival evaluators believe they have a puncher's chance against L.A. because of their ability to put the ball in play even against tough pitching. (And against the Dodgers' rotation, they will face a lot of tough pitching.) -- Olney