Blue Jays, Mariners Battle in ALCS Amid Extreme Competition

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Two games into the 2025 American League Championship Series, the Seattle Mariners hold a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays after winning both contests at home. Mariners pitchers excelled, while the Blue Jays struggled to find their rhythm on offense.

In Game 1, Mariners starter set the tone, bouncing back from a tough first inning to deliver six solid innings. The Mariners’ bullpen followed suit in Game 2, continuing to silence Toronto’s bats, which have seen key hitters struggle.

“The Mariners’ pitching staff is very good, but the Blue Jays have changed their approach from the regular season,” ESPN analyst Jorge Castillo said. “The Blue Jays are swinging at pitches they normally wouldn’t.” During the first two games, notable Toronto players like Guerrero and Varsho struggled, combining for zero hits.

The Mariners scored eight of their 10 runs in Game 2 via home runs. Castillo noted that while T-Mobile Park is a pitcher’s park, power hitting in October is crucial. “If the Mariners continue to hit mistakes over the fence, Toronto’s chances dwindle,” Castillo added.

Jeff Passan echoed Castillo’s concerns, stating the Mariners have a history of struggles in the postseason, but so do the Blue Jays. “Toronto must focus on cutting down strikeouts. They currently sit around 30% in that category compared to the Mariners’ 13%,” he said.

Looking ahead, Castillo emphasized that securing runs is essential for the Blue Jays. They only scored four runs in two games, all early in the innings. “Getting on base early will be crucial for Toronto,” he noted, pointing out that they need to avoid falling behind quickly.

In the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers also hold a series lead, with pitchers showing remarkable performances, particularly from Blake Snell and Yamamoto. “Their starting pitching is dominating,” analyst Bradford Doolittle remarked. “Milwaukee’s hitters look overwhelmed more often than not.”

The Brewers are facing significant challenges in their series against the Dodgers, needing to find ways to get on base to take advantage of pitching matchups. “Traffic on the bases is necessary for them to create offensive opportunities,” Doolittle explained.

As both Championship Series progress, each team must adapt to their opponent’s strategies and dynamics to secure a place in the World Series.