The Toronto Blue Jays are going to the World Series. The team beat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, which was a winner-take-all game. This gave them their first World Series berth since 1993 and a chance to play the Los Angeles Dodgers. But even though Toronto is celebrating this amazing accomplishment, a big choice is coming up. As their 41-year-old veteran pitcher nears the end of his career, the team is also trying to get Tarik Skubal, baseball’s best starting pitcher, to be the anchor of their rotation for years to come.

Max Scherzer is at a point where he has to make a choice. After a season full of injuries and inconsistent play, the eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and future Hall of Famer will be a free agent. Scherzer had a tough time during the regular season, going 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in just 17 starts, but he showed how valuable he was when it mattered most. The veteran came through in Game 4 of the ALCS, giving up only two runs on three hits over 5⅔ innings and striking out five batters. People who watched him play were reminded that Scherzer can still step up in big moments, even though he is older and has had trouble in the regular season. His ability to still strike out hitters at an elite rate makes him a short-term rental for teams.

The Blue Jays’ pitching cupboard needs to be looked at right away. Toronto doesn’t have the perfect Game 1 starter who can set the tone for the playoffs because Chris Bassitt is leaving as a free agent, and Kevin Gausman is better suited for the second or third playoff start. Shane Bieber has a player option that he will probably use, but there are still questions about whether these pieces fit with the team’s goal of winning a championship.

Tarik Skubal is the answer that Toronto is looking for. The current American League Cy Young Award winner has established himself as baseball’s best pitcher. He finished the regular season with a 2.21 ERA and then had an amazing postseason, posting a 1.76 ERA over 20⅔ innings with 36 strikeouts. But getting Skubal is difficult.

The Detroit Tigers are still a long way from reaching a deal with their ace, and a trade would probably mean that Toronto would have to give up young players like Trey Yesavage, who the team sees as key to its future. Skubal will most likely be a free agent after next season, so the Blue Jays may find it easier to sign him than to give up important prospects, even though they are trying to rebuild while also trying to win a championship right now.

But before the Toronto Blue Jays think about adding new players to their roster, they need to make the most of their current momentum. In a thrilling Game 7, the Blue Jays showed their strength by beating Seattle in the ALCS. Now, their chances of winning the championship depend on how well they do right now, when depth and timely execution are most important.

Springer leads Blue Jays to World Series victory over Seattle

Springer’s bat is what makes Toronto’s big break happen. George Springer hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning on Monday night that put the Blue Jays ahead for good. This was their first World Series appearance since 1993. The team is now up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, with Game 1 taking place on Friday.

George Springer‘s blast was his 23rd career postseason home run, which solidifies his reputation as a clutch player when the pressure is on. This win is even more important because it gives the Blue Jays a perfect postseason record. Toronto has won the World Series twice before, in 1992 and 1993. They are one of only two teams, along with the Marlins, to have won every Fall Classic they’ve played in.

Seattle put up an early fight with its offensive threats. In the fourth inning, Julio Rodriguez hit a solo home run to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead. In the fifth inning, Cal Raleigh hit a solo home run to make the lead even bigger. But when the game got closer in the seventh, Seattle’s momentum faded. Bryan Woo walked Addison Barger, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a single before Eduard Bazardo came in to pitch. Springer hit a 1-0 sinker and sent it to left-center field. The moment changed the course of the game in Toronto’s favor.

In the last innings, Toronto’s pitching depth made all the difference. Chris Bassitt pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Jeff Hoffman struck out the side in the ninth to get the save. The Blue Jays used six different pitchers during the game, which showed how adaptable and determined they were. This win shows that Toronto is ready to go after another championship. They beat a tough Seattle team by hitting well at the right times and pitching well as a team.