Blue Jays Blaze Past Mariners in ALCS Game 3

Blue Jays Bombs Away: Toronto Roars Back in ALCS Game 3

The Toronto Blue Jays came out swinging in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, and boy, did they connect. After falling behind early to the Seattle Mariners thanks to a Julio Rodriguez solo shot in the first, the Jays flipped the script with an offensive explosion that left no doubt. By the time the dust settled, Toronto rolled to a 13-4 win, evening the series and sending a clear message: the bats have arrived.

Toronto’s lineup looked like a home run derby crew instead of a playoff roster. Teoscar Hernandez got things rolling with a blast in the third, followed by a gap-splitting double from Dalton Varsho. Then came the fireworks. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, and Alejandro Kirk each went yard, turning T-Mobile Park into their personal launching pad. Guerrero, in particular, was dialed in, adding doubles and drawing intentional walks as if the Mariners wanted no part of him. Can you blame them?

Seattle’s pitching plan of mixing in more sinkers and sliders had been working well through the series, but on this night, the Blue Jays weren’t biting. They hunted fastballs and punished mistakes. George Kirby, who's been a rock for the Mariners, got rocked himself, coughing up eight runs in just four innings. Ouch.

Bieber Battles Back, But Toronto Bats Win the War

Shane Bieber took the mound for Toronto with some questions swirling. He’s been a bit of a mystery since returning from Tommy John surgery, and early on, it looked like the mystery was more horror story than fairy tale. Yeri-O Rodriguez took him deep early, and Bieber seemed rattled. But credit where it’s due — he adjusted mid-game, ditching the curveball in favor of a steady diet of fastballs and sliders. The shift paid off, and he managed to keep the game from getting out of hand until the offense took over.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised Bieber’s ability to settle in, and the team’s aggressive approach at the plate clearly paid dividends. It’s no coincidence that when Bieber found his groove, the momentum shifted decisively. When your starter can eat innings and your lineup is dropping bombs, that’s playoff gold.

Mariners Stay Loose Despite Blowout, But Pressure Builds

Despite the lopsided loss, the Mariners clubhouse didn’t seem too shaken. Julio Rodriguez, towel over his head and a grin on his face, joked with reporters after the game. That’s the kind of mindset you need in October — flush the loss, turn the page, live to fight another day. But make no mistake, the pressure is now squarely on Seattle.

They’ll send ace Luis Castillo to the mound for Game 4, while Toronto counters with Max Scherzer. Yes, that Max Scherzer. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and the kind of postseason pedigree that can tilt a series. Castillo’s been nails at home, but if there’s anyone who can match that energy and then some, it’s Mad Max. This one feels like a coin flip with high-stakes energy. Expect quick hooks, aggressive bullpen moves, and maybe even a little chaos.

Seattle needs to punch back immediately or risk getting steamrolled. The Jays have the offensive momentum, and they’ve been road warriors in the playoffs. The Mariners can’t afford to fall behind early again or count on the long ball to pull them back in. If Castillo can keep it close, Seattle’s bullpen has a chance to steal one late. Otherwise, Toronto might just keep slugging their way to the World Series.

Elsewhere in October: Dodgers Dominate, Brewers on the Brink

Over in the National League, the Dodgers are doing what the Dodgers do: dominate. They’ve allowed just five hits in the NLCS so far, and their lineup is firing on all cylinders. Mookie Betts and Will Smith have been leading the charge, while the bullpen has been lights-out. If you're betting the World Series futures, LA is looking like a very tasty option.

The Brewers, meanwhile, are scrambling. With a thin bullpen and question marks in the rotation, they’re up against it. Christian Yelich and Willy Adames can only do so much. Facing Tyler Glasnow in the next game doesn't help either. The Dodgers are averaging over 5.5 runs per game at home, and unless Milwaukee’s arms find another gear, this series could end quickly.

One silver lining for the Brewers? Shohei Ohtani is showing signs of frustration. That might not sound positive, but sometimes a fired-up Ohtani is the most dangerous kind. If he goes off, Milwaukee could make it interesting. Still, the Dodgers’ depth — both in the lineup and bullpen — gives them a significant edge.

Takeaways for Bettors

• Blue Jays’ bats are officially hot. With multiple players going deep, the Over is starting to look more appealing in their games, especially with shaky Mariners pitching.
• Max Scherzer vs. Luis Castillo is must-watch. Betting the Under in Game 4 might be worth a look with two aces on the mound, but keep an eye on bullpen usage.
• Dodgers are cruising. Their pitching has been dominant, and betting them to win the World Series is gaining traction.
• Brewers are on life support. Unless their offense wakes up, this series could be a short one. Live bets on Dodgers to win early could carry value.
• Momentum matters. The Blue Jays have it. The Mariners need to find it fast. Watch for early-game prop bets like first-inning runs or first five innings outcomes.

In baseball, anything can happen — but right now, the Blue Jays and Dodgers look like freight trains. Buckle up.