The Blue Jays' bats roared to life in a stunning Game 3 victory against the Mariners, proving that even the most resilient teams can be unleashed. After a sluggish start to the American League Championship Series, where they managed a mere four runs across the first two games, the Blue Jays flipped the script in dramatic fashion.
The series shifted to Seattle, and with it came a complete offensive transformation. The Blue Jays unleashed a barrage of five home runs, leading to a resounding 13-4 victory. This offensive explosion forced Mariners starter George Kirby out of the game after just four innings. This win, however, only reduced the series deficit to two games to one.
Manager John Schneider expressed the team's underdog spirit to reporters, saying, “No one expected us to win the division, no one expected it us to be here, and I think the guys take that to heart.” He added, “I said it when we left Toronto: I hope we find some slug in the air out here. Maybe we did.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a force to be reckoned with, reaching base five times, going 4-for-4, and narrowly missing a cycle.
The Mariners initially took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to Julio Rodriguez's two-run homer. But the Blue Jays responded with a vengeance in the third inning, scoring five runs, sparked by a double from Ernie Clement and a two-run homer from Andres Gimenez.
George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added solo homers in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.
But here's where it gets controversial: Kirby's performance was a stark contrast to his stellar outing in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tigers, where he allowed only one earned run over five innings. Wednesday's game saw him charged with the first eight runs, failing to record an out in the fifth inning.
Toronto had a leadoff homer from Springer in Game 1, but they were kept quiet until Gimenez's blast on Wednesday.
Game 3 was a must-win for the Blue Jays, and their bats delivered. On the mound, Shane Bieber overcame a shaky start, pitching six innings and striking out eight batters, earning the win.
“Obviously didn’t the start the way he would have wanted to, but that’s pretty much who he is,” Springer said on Bieber. “He can battle back from anything.”
Max Scherzer is set to start for the Blue Jays against Luis Castillo in Game 4 on Thursday.
What do you think? Did the Blue Jays' offensive awakening catch you by surprise? Do you think Kirby's performance was an anomaly, or a sign of things to come? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
