On Monday we will be treated to one of the biggest spectacles in sports: Game 7.
The Toronto Blue Jays were defeated the Seattle Mariners in Game 6, their first home win in the American League Championship Series, to force a decisive final game.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the rest of the line-up have been scorching hot this postseason as the Mariners pitchers have done their job of calming Toronto’s hot bats. Now it comes down to one game with a trip to the World Series on the line. Here’s what could decide who claims the American League crown.
The Blue Jays offense needs to stay hot
The Blue Jays offense needs to keep going and score points for their starter, Shane Bieber. The righty pitched well in Game 3, going 6.0 innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out eight.
The Blue Jays have scored six or more points in four straight games (three wins), with Guerrero Jr. was in charge. In the three wins, he went 8-13 with three home runs.
Guerrero Jr. seemingly makes it his mission to bring back a title for the Blue Jays.
Ernie Clement has also been one of the Blue Jays’ top players at the plate, hitting .412 (7-for-17) with two doubles and a triple in the last four games. These two need to stay sharp if the Blue Jays want to advance.
Mariners pitch with the task of silencing Toronto’s bats
The Mariners’ pitching will help them punch their ticket to their first World Series, with first-year manager Dan Wilson banking on George Kirby to silence the Blue Jays offense.
Kirby struggled against the Blue Jays in Game 3, allowing eight runs (three home runs) on eight hits in 4.0 innings. Kirby can’t afford to make the same mistakes on Monday, or Seattle’s season could end on a disappointing note.
At the first sign of trouble, Wilson won’t be afraid to turn to his best bullpen arms, including Matt Brash (2.00 ERA in 9.0 innings) and closer Andre Munoz (0.00 ERA in 7.1 innings), or even one of his starters, as all hands will be on deck.
Blue Jays or Mariners will make individual history by appearing in the World Series
Making it to the World Series isn’t easy, as evidenced by the participants in this Game 7, which will be the first LCS Game 7 between teams with a World Series drought of more than 30 years or who have not appeared in the World Series. The Blue Jays haven’t made the World Series since winning it all in 1993, while the Mariners have never played in the Fall Classic in their 48-year history.
The Blue Jays won back-to-back titles in 1992-93, then failed to make the playoffs for 22 years before losing in consecutive American League Championship Series in 2015 (4-2) and 2016 (4-1). The Mariners have lost all three American League Championship Series they have been to: 4-2 in 1995, 4-2 in 2000 and 4-1 in 2001.
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