2025 ALCS Preview: Can the Mariners Continue the Magic?
By Rob Reinhart
After a postseason filled with drama, the stage is set for a fascinating American League Championship Series between two franchises desperate for a breakthrough — the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. One has spent three decades chasing the glory of the early ’90s; the other has spent its entire existence trying to get there for the first time. When the series opens Sunday, October 12, in Toronto, history will be on the line no matter who advances.
The Blue Jays enter the ALCS as the American League’s top seed, finishing 94–68 and edging out the Yankees via tiebreaker to capture the AL East. Their path through the postseason has been convincing. Toronto dispatched the Yankees in four games in the Division Series, riding steady pitching and timely hitting to reach the franchise’s first ALCS appearance since 2016. The roster has matured around stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Daulton Varsho, and there’s a clear sense that the Jays’ championship window is wide open.
Seattle’s journey was far more tumultuous. The Mariners, winners of the AL West at 90–72, survived one of the wildest playoff games in recent memory — a 15-inning marathon against Detroit that ended with a walk-off single from Jorge Polanco to seal their spot in the ALCS. It marked Seattle’s first appearance in the league championship round since 2001, and with a franchise still seeking its first-ever pennant, the sense of opportunity is palpable throughout the Pacific Northwest.
For Toronto, the chance to return to the World Series for the first time since their back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993 represents the culmination of years of roster building and near misses. For Seattle, this is uncharted territory — a chance to finally exorcise the ghosts of their past playoff heartbreaks.
Pitching is expected to define the series. Toronto’s rotation is anchored by Kevin Gausman, who will take the ball in Game 1 after a strong showing in the ALDS. Behind him, veterans Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are back from injury, giving the Jays the kind of postseason-tested arms they’ll need in a seven-game grind. The absence of shortstop Bo Bichette, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, leaves a noticeable hole in the lineup, but the Blue Jays’ pitching depth could compensate for that loss if it holds up.
Seattle, meanwhile, is turning to right-hander Bryce Miller for Game 1, a surprise move given his uneven regular season. However, the Mariners have been strategic with their rotation, preserving their top arms after a grueling Division Series. Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert are expected to start the middle games, while Bryan Woo — who missed time with a pectoral injury — returns as a key addition to the roster. Woo’s dominance during the regular season gives Seattle a potential difference-maker if he’s fully healthy. Closer Andrés Muñoz anchors a deep bullpen that has carried Seattle through tight games all season.
Both teams are built on balance rather than overwhelming star power. Toronto’s lineup thrives on depth, while Seattle relies on energy, defense, and the lightning-bolt talent of center fielder Julio Rodríguez, whose bat and glove have been instrumental in their October run. The series will likely hinge on which offense can produce in the clutch — the Blue Jays’ patient, power-driven approach or the Mariners’ aggressive, contact-first style that thrives on pressure situations.
There’s also a psychological edge to consider. Toronto holds home-field advantage, with the first two games and potential Games 6 and 7 at Rogers Centre. The crowd in Toronto has been electric this postseason, and protecting home turf will be crucial. For Seattle, the challenge will be winning at least once on the road — something they proved capable of during their ALDS triumph over the Tigers. A single early road win could flip momentum entirely.
The narrative weight of this matchup cannot be ignored. Toronto is trying to end a 32-year World Series drought, while Seattle still seeks its first pennant in franchise history. Both clubs have built their identities on patience and internal development rather than high-profile free agent splashes. Both are products of long-term vision finally coming to fruition. And both have fanbases who have waited far too long to feel this close to baseball’s biggest stage.
If this series follows the script, it should be tight, tense, and rich with moments of postseason magic. Toronto’s veteran pitching and home-field edge give them a slight advantage, but Seattle’s resilience — and its sense of destiny — make them a dangerous underdog. Expect several low-scoring battles, at least one extra-inning thriller, and a handful of plays that will be remembered for years.
Prediction? The edge goes narrowly to Toronto. If the Blue Jays’ arms stay healthy and their offense does enough to withstand Bichette’s absence, they have the balance to advance. But if Seattle steals an early game in Canada and their bullpen holds up, this could easily go the distance.
For now, baseball fans can savor what lies ahead: two hungry teams, two passionate fanbases, and one ticket to the Fall Classic. The 2025 ALCS won’t just crown a league champion — it will rewrite history for whoever survives.