Home/MLB
Home/MLB
feature-image

via Imago

feature-image

via Imago

Well, it all comes down to today for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. In the next few hours, we will know who will be facing the Dodgers in the World Series. After a dominant win in Game 6 of the ALCS, the Blue Jays will be looking to carry this momentum into Game 7. With Shane Bieber taking the mound, Blue Jays veteran player has his say on what the team plan should be for today.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

In a recent interview, veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar shared his view on what the pitching plan should be for John Schneider and the Blue Jays. Pillar said, “I don’t think you map it out. I think you let Shane Bieber go out there and use your eyeballs… You just have to watch what Shane Bieber is able to do… But he also knows in a game seven, it’s all hands on deck… I think you just go out there, pitch by pitch… You see what Shane Bieber can give you.”

The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are both chasing something that has eluded them for decades. Toronto hasn’t been to the World Series since their 1993 title run, while Seattle has never made it that far since joining MLB in 1977. Game 7 of the ALCS has become more than just a matchup; it’s a defining moment for two franchises built on resilience and unfinished stories.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

For the Blue Jays, the spotlight falls on Shane Bieber, who has been steady since arriving from Cleveland in July. Across seven regular-season starts, he posted a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 40.1 innings. Those numbers showed why general manager Ross Atkins made the deal, trusting Bieber’s postseason experience and command to deliver in moments that decide seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

For Bieber, this start carries emotion beyond numbers. Last year, Cleveland reached the ALCS Game 7, but he couldn’t pitch while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Now, he gets his chance to write the ending he missed, calling it “a culmination of a lot of events and dominoes” before Game 7.

Manager John Schneider’s confidence in Bieber is clear, calling him “the ideal pitcher” for a game like this. Schneider said Bieber’s awareness and composure were exactly why Toronto traded for him, even while he was rehabbing. If Bieber executes like he believes he can, his start could be the difference between heartbreak and history for Toronto fans.

In the end, it all rests on Shane Bieber’s arm and Kevin Pillar’s instincts. John Schneider’s belief will mean nothing if execution wavers when the lights burn brightest. Because tonight, the Blue Jays either make history or become another chapter in Seattle’s fairytale.

Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports

Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

As Blue Jays face Mariners in Game 7, Bichette inches toward return

Some games are decided by talent, some by luck, and some by whether a key player can remember how to walk without wincing. The Toronto Blue Jays are now squarely in that last category, teetering on the edge of the World Series. All eyes are on Bo Bichette, whose knee rehab has been as suspenseful as the playoff drama itself, because apparently, baseball loves a cliffhanger.

Toronto Blue Jays fans are holding their breath as Bo Bichette makes significant progress from a knee injury. He has resumed light running and batting, showing promise for a potential postseason return. Before the injury, Bichette averaged .311 with 18 home runs and led MLB with 181 hits in 2025.

If Bichette returns, the Blue Jays gain a critical offensive spark and defensive stability for the postseason. His presence could bolster Toronto’s lineup, providing protection for other hitters like Guerrero and Yesavage. Manager John Schneider emphasized the pace of Bichette’s rehab, noting base running and defense remain the final recovery hurdles.

Whether Bo Bichette takes the field could very well decide the Blue Jays’ fate. Fans hope his knees cooperate, proving that baseball injuries enjoy dramatic timing as much as pitchers. If Bichette steps up, Toronto’s lineup could transform instantly, turning suspense into celebration—or heartbreak into legend.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT