RECAP: Toronto Blue Jays drop ALCS Game 1 to the Seattle Mariners 3-1

The Toronto Blue Jays lost Game 1 of the American League Championship Series to the Seattle Mariners 3-1 Sunday night.

Toronto’s bats struggled to come alive after a solo home run from George Springer in the first inning–the first ever leadoff homer in Jays post-season history.

The Mariners responded with a home run from Cal Raleigh and a pair of RBI singles from Jorge Polanco.

Toronto will see Seattle in Game 2 on Thanksgiving Monday at 5:03 p.m.

Here’s a recap of how Game 1 unfolded:

Final Score: Mariners beat Jays 3-1

10:37 p.m. - Mariners keep Jays offence at bay to end the eighth

The Jays remain hitless in the eighth inning as the Mariners retire the side in order.

Jeff Hoffman is headed to the mound.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

10:23 p.m. - Polanco singles again, Mariners lead Jays 3-1

Polanco singles to drive in Randy Arozarena, who stole second and third base in the top of the eighth inning. The Mariners lead the Blue Jays 3-1.

Manager John Schneider pulls Seranthony Domínguez to set up Mason Fluharty.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

10:13 p.m. - Gabe Speier with 3 up, 3 down inning

Seattle’s Gabe Speier retires the Jays in order to finish the seventh inning. The top of the Mariners order is due up.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

10:01 p.m. - Eugenio Suárez barely misses leadoff home run

Eugenio Suárez hits a double to start the seventh inning, just missing a leadoff homer for the Mariners. Seattle leads Toronto 2-1.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:52 p.m. - Lukes out with right knee contusion

The Jays say Nathan Lukes was removed from the game after he fouled off a ball to his right knee. He’s been replaced by Myles Straw in the outfield.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:43 p.m. - Mariners take 2-1 lead off Jorge Polanco single

The Mariners take a 2-1 lead off Jorge Polanco’s RBI single. Julio Rodríguez comes into score.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:37 p.m. - Schneider pulls Gausman after Raleigh homer

Manager John Schneider pulls Kevin Gausman after Cal Raleigh’s game-tying homer. Brendon Little is on the mound.

Gausman gets a standing ovation as he leaves the field.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:33 p.m. - Cal Raleigh hits solo homer to tie the game 1-1

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh ties the game with a solo home run.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:24 p.m. - Bryce Miller retires the side in order to end the 5th

Bryce Miller delivers a 1-2-3 inning for the Mariners. The Jays are still up 1-0 at the bottom of the fifth inning.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:15 p.m. - Gausman built for ‘big moments’ like ALCS Game 1

Kevin Gausman continued his dominance in the third, getting a quick first out. His poise and experience truly shone through as the Mariners’ order turned over for the second time. He quickly retired Arozarena for the second out of the inning, then struck out “Big Dumper” Cal Raleigh on a nasty splitter, silencing the biggest power threat in Seattle’s lineup.

This is exactly why the Blue Jays went out and paid $105 million over five years to sign their now-ace pitcher. These are the big moments the front office envisioned when they brought Gausman in, and he has stepped up huge so far in the biggest game of the year for this Blue Jays team. The man is on cruise control and the splitter is looking as deadly as it has all year with massive bite.

Bryce Miller answered with a quick three up, three down inning of his own, as he—much like Gausman an inning earlier—finally settled into his rhythm.

- Scott Belford, host of ‘The Walk Off’ Toronto Blue Jays podcast and guest contributor

9:13 p.m. - Jays leading 1-0 at the bottom of the 4th

The Jays maintain their one-run lead over the Mariners after a scoreless fourth inning.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

9:03 p.m. - Myles Straw replaces Nathan Lukes in the outfield

After fouling a ball off his knee, Nathan Lukes has been replaced by Myles Straw in the outfield.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:58 p.m. - Mariners retire Jays in order, Toronto leads 1-0

The Blue Jays maintain their lead over the Mariners after three innings.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:52 p.m. - Gausman gets strikeout #3

Gausman records his third strikeout to start the third inning. He’s now retired eight Mariners in a row.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:44 p.m. - Energy at Rogers Centre ‘palpable,’ Gausman finds his rhythm

The ALCS is officially underway, and the energy at Rogers Centre is palpable—even through the television screen. Kevin Gausman was visibly amped up, going 3-0 to start the game against Mariners leadoff hitter Randy Arozarena before settling in and getting him to ground out. He then gave up back-to-back singles to Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, with Raleigh advancing to third on the play.

Gausman then truly found his rhythm, inducing a ground ball from Jorge Polanco to third. The Jays’ defence came up big, cutting down Raleigh at the plate. Josh Naylor then flew out to centre field, getting Toronto out of the top of the first. Rogers Centre was electric the entire time Gausman was on the mound.

Facing Bryce Miller on three days’ rest, the Blue Jays went to work early. George Springer brought the packed Rogers Centre to its feet on the very first pitch, taking Miller deep to give Toronto a 1–0 lead. “LET’S GO BLUE JAYS” chants shook the building as Nathan Lukes stepped up to the plate, with Miller looking visibly rattled.

Lukes battled through a 10-pitch at-bat, fouling one off his knee on a full count and taking a few moments to recover before stepping back in and continuing to fight off pitches. The Blue Jays’ trademark patience paid off, as Lukes drew a 12-pitch walk. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. then flew out to centre for the first out of the inning.

Addison Barger followed with a walk of his own, putting runners on first and second with one out. Alejandro Kirk stepped to the plate with the crowd in a frenzy and saw five pitches before popping up. The inning ended on a Daulton Varsho fly out to centre, but the Jays made Miller throw 26 pitches in the first—playing the brand of baseball that got them here.

- Scott Belford, host of ‘The Walk Off’ Toronto Blue Jays podcast and guest contributor

8:38 p.m. - Gausman gets 2 strikeouts

Gausman marks his first-ever ALCS start with two strikeouts. Retires the side in order to start the second inning.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:30 p.m. - Jays lead Mariners 1-0

The first inning is over, but the damage is done. The Jays lead the Mariners 1-0 behind Springer’s solo home run.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:16 p.m. - Springer’s historic leadoff solo home run puts Jays up early

George Springer hits a solo home run in the first inning to put the Jays up 1-0.

Springer’s dinger is the first-ever leadoff homer in Blue Jays post-season history.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:12 p.m. - Jays fans expecting long series

Fans who spoke to CTV News heading into Game 1 at Rogers Centre believe the Blue Jays have the firepower and pitching to beat the Mariners, but it won’t be a sweep.

“Jays in seven, it’s a lock,” said Jays fan Colin Fallowfield. “I do think the Mariners are going to give us a run for our money and an entertaining series, so Jays in seven.”

“Jays in six, I think they have a really good shot, especially with the Mariners and Tigers going 15 innings the other night, it’s going to be a great series for the Jays,” said Dan Bernstein.

Bo Bichette was ruled out for Game 1, but some fans believe they have the hitting power to make it through the first few games without him.

“When I saw Bichette wasn’t in, I was disappointed — but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” said Jays fan Andrew Alpau.

- Kamil Karamali, CTV News

8:10 p.m. - Jays defence stops early Mariners effort

Addison Barger’s throw to Alejandro Kirk gets ahead of Cal Raleigh’s run to home plate for the third out.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

8:05 p.m. - ALCS Game 1 is underway

Kevin Gausman throws out the first pitch at 8:05 p.m. to officially start Game 1 of the ALCS.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

7:52 p.m. - Edwin Encarnación throws first pitch

Former Toronto Blue Jay Edwin Encarnación throws out the ceremonial first pitch to a packed Rogers Centre.

The Dominican slugger spent eight seasons in Toronto.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

7:40 p.m. - The ALCS X-factor

The true X-factor in this series for the Toronto Blue Jays could be their marquee free-agent pickup from last offseason, Anthony Santander. “Tony Taters,” as fans know him, launched 44 bombs with the Orioles last year but spent most of 2025 on the shelf with an injury. He returned just in time for the stretch run, and lately, his swing looks close to where the Jays need it to be. With Bo Bichette sidelined and off the ALCS roster, a hot bat from Santander could be exactly the spark this Blue Jays offense needs.

- Scott Belford, host of ‘The Walk Off’ Toronto Blue Jays podcast and guest contributor

7:13 p.m. - Schneider says Jays are ready to go for Game 1 of the ALCS

Jays’ manager John Schneider says his team is ready to go with pitchers Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt available to jump in as needed to help support the team in their ALCS run.

Shortstop Bo Bichette, meanwhile, remains off the roster for the time being with a sprained left knee. Schneider said he doesn’t want to put Bichette in a “compromised position.”

“I feel for him, because it’s been a long three weeks - physically and mentally. You know, he wants nothing more to be out there, but he’s going to keep himself ready and trying to get ready, hopefully we advance, and hopefully he can kind of check off the boxes that we needed to check off,” he said.

Schneider also elaborated on his decision to start with Yesavage for Game 2 on the series, citing the rookie pitcher’s ability to be unique and his calm demeanour.

“It was a pretty easy choice, just by watching how he’s conducted himself and watching what he’s doing on the map,” Schneider said, adding that he was not aware of Yesavage’s concerns about his family being attacked.

He said that he hasn’t spoken with him about the situation, but that Yesavage’s decision to speak out shows his “maturity level,” even as a rookie 22-year-old.

Schneider added that he’d be taking things as they come and could change the roster on a daily basis.

Taking on the Mariners, who are known for throwing strikes consistently and aggressively to fill the strike zone, Schneider said the Jays are ready to do what it takes to win games.

“I think that I don’t want us to try to do anything that we’re not good at, for one. So certain situations are going to call for contact, certain situations are going to call for, hopefully, some slug or damage, you know,” he said.

“So I think that we have a unique one through 13 that can do a little bit of everything. So it’s being ready to hit. It’s understanding kind of what their tendencies are and staying convicted to what our approach is,” said Schneider, adding that over the course of the year his team has shown that it can do “some different things.”

“We can score in different ways. So these guys are real good at understand the situation and kind of adapting.”

In closing, Schneider urged fans on the West Coast to lend their support the Jays, who are Canada’s team.

“I think that fans of British Columbia, I hope, are Blue Jay fans before they’re Seattle fans. I think we feel that, you know, I think we feel that when we do travel there too. So I guess my message is, try to get some tickets and get us out there,” he said.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

6:30 p.m. - Does rest advantage make tonight a must win?

The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the ALCS for the first time in nine years as they look to exorcise their Seattle Mariners postseason demons from the 2022 Wild Card tonight.

The Jays’ ALCS roster has been finalized and includes both Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt this time around, removing Justin Bruihl and Tommy Nance, who were on the ALDS roster. Unfortunately, upcoming free-agent shortstop Bo Bichette once again remains off the playoff roster as he continues to nurse a sprained knee.

Kevin Gausman takes the mound tonight in Game 1 for the Jays. The Mariners send Bryce Miller as their Game 1 starter after burning through numerous pitchers in their extra-inning Game 5 against the Tigers.

The Blue Jays enter Game 1 with a clear advantage in rest and rotation setup. The Mariners’ flight out of Seattle was delayed yesterday, and they didn’t arrive in Toronto until last night rather than yesterday morning.

Just 48 hours ago, Seattle battled through a grueling 15-inning game, using three of their top starting pitchers in the process. While Miller is no slouch, Seattle would have much preferred to start Logan Gilbert or Luis Castillo, who both pitched in that marathon Game 5.

Game 1 isn’t technically a “must-win” but dropping it at home against a team running on such short rest would certainly feel like a missed opportunity.

- Scott Belford, host of ‘The Walk Off’ Toronto Blue Jays podcast and guest contributor

6:19 p.m. Mariners’ Canzone says he’s ‘excited for the opportunity’ to take on the Jays in the ALCS

After winning a 15-inning game on Friday followed by a short break and an extra-long travel day, Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone says he’s ready to take on the Jays in Game of the ALCS.

“(I’m) just excited. I mean, (it’s) another opportunity, another great team to play against, and again, (I’m) just excited for the opportunity,” he said.

Canzone said he and his teammates are feeling good after Jorge Polanco’s walk-off single that secured them a 3-2 win against the Detroit Tigers and ensured their participation in the American League Championship Series.

“(It was) a special night, and something that you dream of as a kid, especially with being able to walk it off at home,” he said.

“The crowd is unbelievable. It’s just an out-of-body experience. It’s hard to even talk about or replicate, so (that’s) something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. And obviously (we) celebrated pretty good that night, but we had plenty of time to rest up yesterday so we’re ready to go.”

Heading into the ALCS, Canzone said the Mariners would be “sticking” to who they are and won’t be worrying about the opponent.

“We know we’re a good team. We have great players on the team, so I think more just us sticking to our normal routines, not trying to do anything that we wouldn’t normally do, and again, just getting (our) bodies ready,” he said.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

5:39 p.m. - Yesavage asks people to stop attacking family for his ‘performance on field,’ says he’s got ‘all the confidence in the world’ heading into ALCS

Rookie Jays pitcher Trey Yasavage began his pre-game remarks by asking people to stop attacking his family for his “performance on the field.”

“Living in this world where there’s so many so many different opinions and feelings, which results in a lot of hate, it’s sad to see that that people close to me are being attacked for my performances on the field. These people have done nothing to warrant negativity for my actions, whether that’s my parents, my brother, my girlfriend family,” he said.

“It’s just really sad, and I know I have the platform to address it, so I am. And I hope that people can realize that those individuals have nothing to do with what happens on the field or whatnot. And if you have a problem a man, I can take whatever opinions anybody has about me or my life. And yeah, so I just wanted to get that out there.”

Nonetheless, Yesavage said he’s heading into tonight’s game with “all the confidence in the world.”

“It’s a great feeling being able to go out there and put on, go out there and play for this team is special. The clubhouse is rallied behind me,” he said.

Yesavage said he’s still revelling in the experience of being a Toronto Blue Jay.

“It’s still pretty wild. I never thought I would be here in this situation this year. So every, every day is something new. And I’m very, I’m very blessed to be learning this in such a young career,” he added, crediting everyone in the organization for their support and guidance.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

5:18 p.m. - Jays’ Barger said he and teammates ‘focused...on winning the series’

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman and outfielder Addison Barger says he and his teammates are “focused on going out and competing and, you know, winning the series.”

He said he’s taking the advice of his teammate George Springer to take care of his body and has worked to manage his workload throughout the season in preparation for this playoff run.

Originally from Washington State, about 45 minutes north of Seattle, Barger said growing up he attended a few Mariners games and was a “die-hard” fan of the team.

He added that he’s had a lot of ups and down this season, likening the experience to a rollercoaster ride.

“(I’m) just trying to stay focused on the work I have, and kind of repairing right away with my hitting coaches, with all the coaches, and, you know, just staying competitive and going out competing,” Barger said during Sunday afternoon’s pre-game media availability.

“If I don’t feel good some days, you know you’re not, you got to go out and compete to the best of your ability. That’s pretty much how I’ve done it.”

Barger has played successfully against the Mariners this season, which he said he plans to continue throughout the playoffs.

“I think I just match up probably well against some of their some of their arms. That’s probably what my success has come from. That’s pretty much it, I mean, and things are getting hot at the right time, feeling good some days, but that’s probably the biggest thing. I probably just match up,” he said.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

4:43 p.m. - Fans lining up outside the Rogers Centre

Fans have begun lining up outside the Rogers Centre for Game 1 of the ALCS between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. The doors to the stadium typically open 90 minutes to two hours before a game.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

4:06 p.m. - The Mariners have arrived at the Rogers Centre

The Seattle Mariners have arrived at the Rogers Centre for the first game of the seven-match ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. The team’s two-bus convey was escorted by Toronto police to the stadium.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

3:11 p.m. - CN Tower goes blue for the Jays

Look up! The CN Tower will be donning a blue hue tonight for the Toronto Blue Jays’ ALCS homeopener.

- Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist

1:21 p.m. - ‘Limited tickets’ still available

For any fans looking to grab last minute tickets, the Blue Jays say there are still few left.

As of 1:21 p.m., ticket prices range from $263.35 to over $1,200 for one ticket.

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

11:30 a.m. - ‘A much closer game tonight,’ Aaron Levine joins CP24

Sports director for FOX 13 Seattle, Aaron Levine joined CP24 to share his take on tonight’s matchup warning of “a much closer game” than some may hope for.

“I know some people joke that the Mariners are probably going to lose game 17-1, because they don’t have any pitchers left... but I see a much closer game tonight,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mariners somehow pull it off, only because this has been such a weird season for them, when everybody has expected them to zig, the Mariners have zagged.”

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

11:15 a.m. City of Toronto to host free watch party

Fans looking for a social viewing of tonight’s game can visit David Pecaut Square for a free watch party hosted by city officials.

In a post on social media, the city reminded residents to bring their friends, wear their colours, and bring plenty of cheer.

There will be paid parking, bike racks, accessibility features and washrooms available on site.

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

11:00 a.m. - Mariners reveal ALCS roster

Seattle has made two changes from their ALDS roster compared to the ALCS by adding Miles Mastrobuoni and Bryan Woo.

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist

10:30 a.m. - Jays reveal ALCS roster

Shortly after 10 a.m., the Toronto Blue Jays officially announced their ALCS roster with a notable absence from Bo Bichette.

However, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt have been added.

Bichette, was one of those closely watched after missing the end of the season and the ALDS with a knee injury.

Earlier this week, Bichette was seen jogging without a brace and taking swings in simulated games — a sign of progress that has fuelled speculation about his possible return to the lineup.

- Jermaine Wilson, CTVNewsToronto.ca Journalist