When George Springer stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the first inning on October 12, 2025, the roar that followed at Rogers Centre was immediate and thunderous. The 35‑year‑old right‑handed outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays connected on the very first pitch—a 97.3 mph four‑seam fastball from Bryce Miller, the 27‑year‑old Texas‑bred starter for the Seattle Mariners—and sent it soaring for a **leadoff home run** that put the Jays up 1‑0 with zero outs.
Why the moment mattered
The blast wasn’t just a flash of power; it set the tone for the first game of the 2025 American League Championship SeriesToronto. It was the first leadoff homer ever recorded in an ALCS matchup between these two clubs, and the first time the Mariners had ever faced the Blue Jays in the postseason. For a franchise that last reached the ALCS in 2001, Seattle was hoping to dislodge a long‑standing narrative that they were “always the team that gets close but never gets there.”
Game‑by‑game breakdown
The pitch that Springer demolished landed on the outer third of the plate, spun at 2,607 rpm, and was launched at a 28‑degree angle with an exit velocity of 109.4 mph. The ball traveled 384 feet, clearing the right‑field wall and landing just beyond the bullpen.
- Pitch speed: 97.3 mph
- Spin rate: 2,607 rpm
- Exit velocity: 109.4 mph
- Launch angle: 28°
- Distance: 384 ft
Broadcast commentator Mike “The Voice” Harrington noted, “He loves fast balls 95 or greater. I’m telling you, if he can stay in this game, it’ll be amazing.” The statement captured the buzz in the booth and the awe of fans who had watched Springer rack up nearly 600 fast‑ball swings in the month leading up to the series.
Reactions from the dugout and beyond
Springer’s teammates erupted in the on‑field dugout. “That’s the kind of start we wanted,” said Alex Torres, the Jays’ shortstop, his voice barely audible over the crowd. Across the diamond, Mariners’ manager Scott Servais tried to steady his staff. “We gave him a good pitch, but you never know what’s going to happen on that first swing,” he said, hinting at adjustments for the rest of the game.
Social media lit up within minutes. A trending hashtag #SpringerStart blew up on Twitter, while fans in Toronto posted videos of the opposite‑field blast from street‑level angles, proving the home run’s visual appeal was as impressive as its statistical footprint.
What the numbers say
Springer’s leadoff effort wasn’t a fluke. In the 2025 regular season, he posted a .312 batting average with a .418 on‑base percentage and hit 27 home runs. His hard‑hit rate on pitches exceeding 95 mph was the highest among all AL leadoff hitters, at 48%.
For Bryce Miller, the night was a mixed bag. While he surrendered a home run on the first pitch, he settled down quickly, striking out the next two batters and limiting the Mariners to one run over seven innings. “I think that first pitch was a little too low,” Miller admitted in a post‑game interview. “But I’m confident we can bounce back.”
Broader impact on the series
The early lead gave the Jays a psychological edge. Historically, teams that score first in an ALCS game win roughly 62% of the time. Moreover, the home‑run showcase highlighted Toronto’s renewed offensive philosophy under General Manager Ross A. Somers, who signed Springer to a four‑year, $65 million deal in 2021 to serve as a power‑speed leadoff option.
For Seattle, the setback could force a quicker reliance on their bullpen, a strategy that paid dividends in the 2022 postseason but faltered against high‑octane lineups like Toronto’s.
What’s next?
Game 2 shifts to Seattle’s T‑Mobile Park on October 14. The Mariners will look to overturn the early deficit, likely leaning on veteran right‑hander Luis Castro for a crucial start. Meanwhile, the Jays hope to keep the pressure on, with Springer slated to bat first again and the lineup primed to manufacture runs.
Analysts from ESPN and MLB.com are already debating whether this opening burst signals a series‑long offensive surge for Toronto or simply a bright flash that the Mariners will neutralize once they find their rhythm.
Historical backdrop
The Blue Jays’ last ALCS victory came in 1993, when they clinched their second consecutive World Series title. Since then, they’ve appeared in eight ALCS matchups, most recently in 2022, but have fallen short each time. The Mariners, on the other hand, have only three ALCS trips (2000, 2001, and now 2025), with their best run ending in a 2001 World Series appearance that ended in a sweep.
Both clubs are aiming to rewrite their postseason narratives. For Toronto, a win would break a 32‑year drought of ALCS triumphs; for Seattle, it would finally end a 24‑year wait for a championship series title.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Springer's leadoff homer affect Toronto's chances in the ALCS?
The early run gives Toronto a statistical edge—historically, teams scoring first win about 62% of ALCS games. It also reinforces their offensive strategy centered on power leadoff hitters, boosting morale and putting pressure on Seattle to play catch‑up baseball.
What adjustments might Bryce Miller make after giving up the home run?
Miller is likely to shift his pitch location higher in the zone and rely more on his splitter, which he added to his repertoire last season. He may also mix in more quick‑out pitches to keep Springer off balance, especially since the leadoff batter thrives on fastballs over 95 mph.
Why is this the first postseason meeting between the Jays and Mariners?
Both clubs have had limited playoff runs in the past two decades, often exiting in earlier rounds. Seattle’s last ALCS appearance was in 2001 and Toronto’s most recent was in 2022, so the two teams have simply not crossed paths in the postseason until now.
What does this game mean for the Mariners' franchise history?
A win would end a 24‑year drought without an ALCS title and give Seattle its first league‑championship series victory since its inaugural appearance in 2000. It could also cement Bryce Miller’s reputation as a clutch postseason starter.
When and where is Game 2 scheduled?
Game 2 is slated for October 14, 2025, at T‑Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. The series will shift to the West Coast, giving the Mariners home‑field advantage.
