Are we really watching the same Toronto Blue Jays that stunned the Yankees? Or did we shift to an alternate dimension? Because after looking at the 2 games that the Blue Jays have played against the Seattle Mariners, most would think that. But the one person who was surely not thinking it is Yankees legend, Alex Rodriguez. After all the trolling A-Rod faced from Vladimir Guerrero Jr, he took this opportunity to show him that it is not over yet.

In the recent show on FOX Sports, after the game of Blue Jays-Mariners, Alex Rodriguez said, “First of all, when you’re a young team, sometimes it’s easier to go on the road… Then on the other side of that, if you’re the Toronto Blue Jays, you climbed the tallest mountain, which is to beat the Yankees. Then you sit out for three days, and you’re being celebrated. They’re throwing parades. You lose your edge a little bit.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. didn’t just help the Blue Jays beat the Yankees; he taunted them live on TV with a loud “DAAA YANKEES LOSE!” chant in front of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez after the clinching win. That moment felt like a statement, turning the rivalry upside down, yet since then, the Blue Jays have been stifled, essentially closed down by Seattle. The same fire that carried them past New York hasn’t shown up in the ALCS. For a team that just conquered its biggest rival, the sudden silence has been jarring for fans to watch.

In Game 1, Toronto managed only two hits and a single run against Bryce Miller and a relentless Mariners bullpen. Their offense briefly showed life in Game 2, tying it at three before everything fell apart again. Seattle’s lineup kept finding holes, while Toronto’s bats went quiet when it mattered most. It wasn’t just about execution; the Mariners simply looked sharper, hungrier, and better prepared for big moments.

Even Toronto’s rock-solid bullpen, which had been dependable all postseason, couldn’t hold the line in Game 2. Relievers gave up multiple runs, turning a close contest into a blowout and draining any late momentum. Still, there’s a reason for hope; the Blue Jays led the majors with 45 comeback wins this season. With the next two games in Seattle, where they’ve played some of their best baseball, there’s a belief that this story isn’t done yet.

Maybe Guerrero’s chant was a little too loud, because the echo hasn’t stopped yet. Alex Rodriguez’s smirk on FOX now feels like poetic payback written in real time. If the Blue Jays want the last laugh, it’s time to earn their noise back.

The Blue Jays lose, and the USA media is not holding back

It didn’t take long for the American press to grab their bats and swing at Toronto. A couple of losses, and suddenly the Blue Jays are back under the microscope, dissected from coast to coast. The Mariners didn’t just steal the wins; they stole the narrative, too. And judging by how U.S. analysts reacted, Canada’s team didn’t just lose a game, they lost their rhythm, swagger, and maybe a bit of mercy.

Seattle’s response after beating Toronto in Game 1 of the ALCS was pure adrenaline and pride. The Seattle Times front page read, “No rest, so what?” after the Mariners won just 30 hours following their 15-inning ALDS marathon against Detroit. Catcher Cal Raleigh became the face of that resilience, his solo homer splashed across headlines and broadcasts. Even Seattle podcast host Gary Hill Jr. joined the fun, calling Raleigh’s blast “Oh Cal-nada,” as fans roared across the border.

Over on FOX Sports, the postgame panel dissected Toronto’s dip in energy. David Ortiz noted that “those three days off kind of affected them,” while Derek Jeter questioned the decision to pull Kevin Gausman after 76 pitches, saying, “Who cares? Everybody gives up a home run at Cal Raleigh.” When Joe Davis wrapped the broadcast, noting Seattle “retired 23 of the last 24,” it felt like a fitting end to a night where one team stayed hot and the other simply cooled off.

The Blue Jays now face the harsh spotlight as U.S. media savors their quiet collapse. Seattle’s momentum and Cal Raleigh’s heroics have set the tone for this ALCS showdown. If Toronto wants to survive, it must find rhythm before the Mariners write another story.