The Toronto Blue Jays just delivered a knockout punch in Game 3 of the ALCS, turning what seemed like a one-sided fight into a full-blown slugfest. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this explosive comeback a stroke of genius or simply the unpredictable chaos of baseball? Let’s dive in.
SEATTLE — The Blue Jays’ locker room was buzzing with boxing metaphors on Wednesday, a fitting vibe for a team that desperately needed to rise from the canvas in the American League Championship Series. Manager John Schneider set the tone before the game, telling reporters, ‘We need fewer jabs and more uppercuts,’ as he reshuffled the lineup, placing Anthony Santander in the cleanup spot behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hitting coach David Popkins echoed the sentiment, comparing hitting to boxing: ‘When you’re cornered in the ring, sometimes the only move is to unleash a haymaker.’
And unleash they did. After dropping the first two games to the Seattle Mariners—scoring a meager four runs and managing just one hit after the second inning—the Jays exploded in Game 3. Down 2-0 early, they launched five home runs, racked up 18 hits, and secured a stunning 13-4 victory. Their aggression was relentless: every single hit came within the first three pitches of an at-bat. And this is the part most people miss: It wasn’t just about power; it was about strategy. The Jays targeted George Kirby’s fastballs, forcing him to pitch on the edges and ultimately unraveling his precision.
Baseball, as always, defies logic. Who would’ve predicted the Mariners’ dominance in the first two games after their grueling 15-inning Division Series clincher and cross-country flight? Or that the Jays would rebound so spectacularly against Kirby, a pitcher known for his pinpoint control? The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, with teams flipping scripts just when you think you’ve figured them out. Why should the ALCS be any different?
The Jays believed in their ability to flip the switch, even against Kirby, who had been lights-out in the Division Series. ‘The Mariners were attacking us in the zone, trying to induce weak contact,’ Popkins explained. ‘Our plan was simple: punish them when they gave us something to hit.’ Kirby, with his historically low walk rates, seemed like the perfect target for an aggressive approach. Outfielder Myles Straw summed it up: ‘It was the ideal setup for us to be bold.’
Schneider’s strategy wasn’t revolutionary—it was a doubling down on Popkins’ season-long philosophy: swing with intent. ‘Look for something to crush,’ Popkins often says, ‘and let the rest take care of itself.’ The plan paid off in spectacular fashion. Andrés Giménez, the No. 9 hitter who had struggled all season, delivered the first big blow with a game-tying home run on an 0-1 fastball. A five-run inning followed, capped by Daulton Varsho’s two-run double.
The Jays’ hitters were on fire, with 13 balls exiting the bat at 100 mph or more—11 of which were hits. Guerrero Jr., who had been grounded in the first two games, went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, and a walk. Even Santander’s insertion into the cleanup spot, though ultimately inconsequential, showed Schneider’s willingness to shake things up.
Here’s the bold question: Did the Jays crack the code on Kirby, or was this just a one-game anomaly? Popkins believes it’s the former. ‘We forced them out of their comfort zone,’ he said. ‘If we keep attacking like this, we’ll keep seeing results.’ But baseball is fickle. Can they replicate this success against Luis Castillo in Game 4? And what about Max Scherzer, their 41-year-old starter coming off an injury-plagued season? Nothing is certain.
One thing is clear, though: the Jays have reignited this series. As Popkins put it, ‘We’ve got a lot of fight left.’ Ring the bell—this slugfest is far from over. What do you think? Is this the start of a Blue Jays comeback, or will the Mariners bounce back? Let’s hear your take in the comments!
