When Toronto Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners in a best‑of‑seven American League Championship Series starting Sunday, October 12, 2025, the baseball world takes a collective breath. The winner will punch the ticket to the World Series on October 24, while the loser watches the dream dissolve. Broadcast rights have already been split between FOX Sports in the United States and Canada's Sportsnet, guaranteeing that fans on both sides of the border won’t miss a pitch.
Mariners’ Marathon Victory Secures Their First ALCS Since 2001
The path to October 12 began on Friday, October 10, when the Mariners survived a 15‑inning, winner‑take‑all duel with the Detroit Tigers. In the bottom of the 15th, Jorge Polanco delivered a walk‑off single that skidded past the left‑field wall, sending the ball—and the Mariners—into ALCS history. That game lasted 5 hours and 42 minutes, making it the longest elimination game ever recorded in MLB postseason lore.
Seattle’s triumph ends a 24‑year drought; the club’s last league‑championship appearance was in 2001. The victory also underscores a broader trend: small‑market teams are learning to maximize their payroll flexibility and develop home‑grown talent, a strategy that paid off for Seattle’s 2025 roster.
Blue Jays Break Through Against the Yankees
Toronto earned its berth two days earlier, on Wednesday, October 8, by toppling the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The series‑clinching Game 4 saw the Jays rally for a 6‑4 win, with a clutch three‑run homer from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the seventh inning that turned a tentative lead into a decisive one. The victory marks the Blue Jays’ first ALCS appearance since their 2016 run, and the first time they’ve advanced past the Yankees in a postseason series since 1993.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised his squad’s resilience: “We knew the Yankees would bring the heat, but our kids stayed focused, and the city responded. That’s what playoff baseball is all about.” The win also guarantees Toronto a home‑field advantage throughout the ALCS, a factor that could prove pivotal given the team’s strong offensive numbers at Rogers Centre.
Why This ALCS Matters Beyond the Diamond
Beyond the obvious bragging rights, the series carries economic and cultural weight. Toronto’s hosting duties generate an estimated CAD $12 million in direct revenue for the city, from hotel bookings to restaurant sales. For Seattle, a World Series berth would be the first cash‑in for the Pacific Northwest since the 2001 Mariners, potentially spurring new stadium upgrades and a surge in youth baseball participation.
Both franchises also sit at the heart of baseball’s ongoing international expansion. The ALCS will be streamed to 203 countries via 44 media partners in 16 languages, a testament to MLB’s strategy of turning the sport into a global spectacle.
Broadcast Plans and Global Reach
In the United States, FOX Sports will air the games on its flagship network and FS1, while Spanish‑language fans can catch the action on FOX Deportes. Canada’s Sportsnet will handle all seven potential games, ensuring that the country's baseball‑loving fans can cheer from coast to coast.
Radio coverage is anchored by ESPN Radio, which will provide live national commentary. Meanwhile, the MLB Network’s studios—home to Emmy‑winning shows like MLB Tonight and MLB Central—will run daily analysis, pre‑game shows, and post‑game breakdowns.
Looking Ahead: NLCS, World Series, and What’s Next
The National League side of the story remains in flux. On October 9, the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies in a dramatic extra‑inning showdown, while the Chicago Cubs edged the Milwaukee Brewers in a winner‑take‑all Game 5 slated for Saturday night. The NLCS will kick off on Monday, October 13, on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max, with Spanish‑language coverage from the Univision family.
Should the Blue Jays or Mariners win their league, they’ll face either the Dodgers or Cubs in the World Series—an inter‑coastal clash that could pit Seattle’s pitching depth against Los Angeles’ power batters, or Toronto’s explosive offense against Chicago’s balanced lineup. Analysts are already speculating about matchups: Will Seattle’s ace Luis Castillo dominate the Yankees‑renowned lineup? Can Toronto’s young starter, Kevin Gausman, out‑pitch the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw?
Whatever the outcome, the ALCS will set the tone for a postseason that promises record‑breaking viewership, international fan engagement, and, for the first time in over a decade, a World Series that could feature a non‑traditional market on the baseball map.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the ALCS start and could it go to Game 7?
The series opens on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto. If the teams split the first six games, a decisive Game 7 is scheduled for October 20, 2025.
How can I watch the games in the United States?
All seven games will be televised on FOX Sports (either the main FOX network or FS1). Spanish‑language viewers can tune in to FOX Deportes. Radio fans can listen on ESPN Radio.
What does the Mariners’ appearance mean for Seattle?
It ends a 24‑year ALCS drought and could boost local economies through tourism, merchandise sales, and heightened interest in baseball among the city’s youth.
Who are the main broadcasting partners for the World Series?
The World Series will be carried by FOX in the U.S., Sportsnet in Canada, and a consortium of 44 international media partners reaching 203 countries in 16 languages.
Are there any key injuries that could affect the ALCS?
As of the latest press conferences, both clubs list a handful of minor ailments—Toronto’s outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has a strained hamstring, while Seattle’s shortstop Marshall Barrett is recovering from a bruised elbow. Neither injury is expected to sideline a starter.