Get ready for a thrilling fight, folks! The Toronto Blue Jays are swinging back hard in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), and it's an intense battle.
After a tough start, losing the first two games to the Seattle Mariners, the Blue Jays are determined to make a comeback. Their manager, John Schneider, knew they needed to change their strategy. He wanted his team to throw more powerful punches, so he shuffled the lineup and put Anthony Santander in the fourth spot, right behind the mighty Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Hitting coach David Popkins shared an interesting analogy: "Hitting is like fighting. When you're paralyzed in the ring, sometimes you just have to put your head down and start throwing those heavy punches." And that's exactly what the Blue Jays did in Game 3.
They were down 2-0, but then they unleashed a series of powerful hits. Five home runs, 18 hits, and a 13-4 victory later, they proved that they're a force to be reckoned with. Every hit came within the first three pitches, showing their aggressive approach.
But here's where it gets controversial: should you ever try to figure baseball out? The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, with teams' performances fluctuating wildly. Just when you think you've got it figured out, the game surprises you. The Blue Jays, after dominating the New York Yankees in the Division Series, seemed unlikely to bounce back against the Mariners' ace, George Kirby.
And this is the part most people miss: the Blue Jays believed in their ability to turn things around, even against Kirby. Their hitting coach, Popkins, has been preaching an aggressive approach all season. He wants his hitters to swing with intent, to look for that perfect pitch to slug.
The turning point came in the third inning. After Ernie Clement's double, the No. 9 hitter, Andrés Giménez, stepped up. Giménez, who had a tough regular season, delivered a massive blow, hitting an 0-1 fastball over the wall. It was a moment of pure aggression and intent.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had been struggling, also found his rhythm, going 4-for-4 with a homer and two doubles. The Jays' strategy was clear: attack Kirby's fastball, and don't be afraid to go 0-1 if it's not the right pitch.
Popkins' words before the game were prophetic: "If we can hurt them in the zone, we can scare them out of it." The Mariners' pitchers were too comfortable, and the Jays aimed to change that.
"We say if they give us a first pitch, we attack it aggressively, and we'll continue to do so," Guerrero said.
The Blue Jays' fight isn't over yet. They'll face another challenge tomorrow against Luis Castillo. Their starter, Max Scherzer, is an experienced veteran, but he's coming off an injury-plagued season. It's a fresh start, and anything can happen.
So, who will prevail in this intense battle? Will the Blue Jays continue their aggressive approach, or will the Mariners find a way to counter? Ring the bell, and let's find out! The ALCS is far from over, and more powerful punches are yet to come.
