UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the Seattle Mariners have seen their World Series hopes evaporate, falling to the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2023. Just eight outs away from their first-ever World Series appearance, the Mariners failed to capitalize on a strong start and are left grappling with disappointment.
After a season filled with promise, including their first AL West title since 2001, the Mariners entered Toronto with a commanding 3-2 series lead. However, their aspirations crumbled as Eduard Bazardo surrendered a critical three-run homer to George Springer in the seventh inning, sealing their fate.
“I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure,”
said Mariners star Cal Raleigh, reflecting on the team’s high expectations.
“What we expected was to get to the World Series and win a World Series. That’s what the bar is and the standard is.”
The Mariners initially led the game, with Julio Rodríguez doubling to start the first inning and scoring on Josh Naylor‘s single. Rodríguez’s fourth postseason homer temporarily put Seattle ahead 2-1 in the third inning, and Raleigh extended the lead to 3-1 in the fifth with his fifth homer of the postseason.
However, after taking the lead, the Mariners could not secure their first World Series appearance. In a disappointing finish, they failed to record a hit in the final four innings, with the game concluding as Leo Rivas, Dominic Canzone, and Rodríguez struck out against Jeff Hoffman in the ninth.
Manager Dan Wilson expressed no regrets over his decision to bring in Bazardo, stating,
“You make your decisions, and sometimes you have to live and die with it.”
Despite the heartache, Wilson emphasized the team’s potential, saying,
“All of us now have had a taste of how close we can get and how good this team can be.”
As the Mariners process their defeat, fans and players alike are left with a bittersweet sense of what could have been. The team is now looking ahead to the offseason, hopeful for another shot at the title next year.
With the Blue Jays advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1993, the Mariners must regroup and reflect on this season’s highs and lows. What happens next for the Mariners remains a topic of keen interest as they look to build on their progress and push for the championship in the upcoming season.
