Blue Jays Defeat Yankees in ALDS, Advance to Championship Series
BRONX, NY – October 23, 2025 – The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees Wednesday night, securing their place in the American League Championship Series for the first time since 1993. A dominant offensive performance,spearheaded by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and a masterful pitching strategy propelled the Blue Jays to victory, concluding a series that captivated baseball fans.
“It’s hard to describe. These guys don’t quit – this team never quits,” said George Springer after the game. “Day after day we fight, and it’s a special group. I’m very proud of everyone.”
The Blue Jays’ journey to this point has been a remarkable turnaround. After a 74-win season in 2024 and entering spring training focused on “internal improvements,” external projections largely predicted a .500 finish for the team. Concerns surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract also cast a shadow over early preparations. However, the team defied expectations, finishing as the No. 1 seed in the American League.
Guerrero Jr. delivered a series for the ages, homering in each of the first three games, including a first-inning single Wednesday night that promptly put Toronto ahead. His grand slam in Game 2 at Rogers Center proved pivotal. “for me, it’s one pitch at a time, one hit at a time,” Guerrero said.”When you believe in your teammates and you believe in God, everything happens. I put this year in God’s hands, and thank God we won this series.”
The Blue Jays’ success wasn’t solely reliant on Guerrero’s bat. Manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker orchestrated a groundbreaking “bullpen day” strategy that set a new standard for bullpen management. louis Varland opened the decisive game with 1.1 scoreless innings. “This team wins in many different ways, and tonight they showed it again,” Varland stated. “It’s nothing new for us.”
The Blue Jays now stand four wins away from their first World Series appearance since joe Carter’s iconic home run in 1993. While previous teams in 2015 and 2016 came close, this Blue Jays squad appears poised to make a deeper run.
Why not them? Why not now?
