UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays exploded offensively in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, crushing the Seattle Mariners 13-4 at T-Mobile Park on October 11, 2023. After losing the first two games of the series, the Blue Jays’ remarkable turnaround, highlighted by five home runs, has revived their hopes of reaching the World Series.
This decisive victory not only avoided elimination for the Blue Jays but also showcased a dramatic offensive display that stunned Mariners fans. The team, under the guidance of hitting coach Dave Popkins, seemed inspired by a video from the 1996 World Series shared with manager John Schneider, emphasizing that “this series is not over.”
In one of the most explosive performances in postseason history, the Blue Jays registered 18 hits, including a staggering 13 balls hit at over 100 mph, with 11 of those resulting in hits. The third inning alone saw them score five runs against Mariners pitcher George Kirby, igniting the crowd’s energy in a game that felt electric.
Leading the charge, Andres Gimenez opened the floodgates with a two-run homer followed by a powerful double from Daulton Varsho. The fireworks continued with a 431-foot blast from George Springer and a stunning three-run shot from Alejandro Kirk in the sixth inning.
Springer’s home run marked his 22nd career postseason homer, making him just the sixth player in history to reach 40 career extra-base hits in the postseason. His performance, alongside the contributions of six players with multiple hits, has made this game one for the record books as they matched the all-time American League playoff record for home runs.
For the Mariners, hopes of clinching their first World Series trip at home now hang by a thread. They will need to win the next two games to avoid the series shifting back to Toronto, where the Blue Jays have dominated with the best home record in the American League this season.
Meanwhile, Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber, despite giving up a two-run homer to Julio Rodriguez in the first inning, settled into a groove, relying on a diverse mix of pitches and demonstrating why he was a critical acquisition at the trade deadline. He limited the Mariners’ offense after the first inning, throwing just 20 fastballs out of 84 pitches and generating 17 swings and misses.
This commanding victory has not only reignited the Blue Jays’ playoff aspirations but has also set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating Game 4. Fans and analysts alike are now eager to see if the Blue Jays can maintain this momentum and continue their quest for championship glory.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Seattle for Game 4, where the Blue Jays will look to build on their recent success while the Mariners will seek to regroup and clinch the series.