Monday, October 20: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners - ALCS GAME 7

Final Score: Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3

Getting to my spot in the park early, me, my friend, and those around us watched as George Kirby was warming up about 30-40 feet in front of us. I remember confidently telling another fan that the Blue Jays would win 9-3 and that I didn’t want a close game.

Sully can be pretty silly sometimes.

Two words. Game. Seven.

They weren’t supposed to be here. But don’t tell the Blue Jays that. Their belief never wavered through a season that saw them fluctuate in the standings. What didn’t fluctuate was the belief the Blue Jays had in themselves.

Two words that have - in recent memory - honestly traumatized Toronto sports fans like myself.

Which is why - when I saw the photo of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. wearing an Auston Matthews jersey - I had to pause for a moment.

I don’t need to detail why there’s still a fresh wound when it comes the the Maple Leafs and Game Seven.

But, given the Blue Jays’ run to that point, there was little reason to not believe Toronto could experience success in a Game 7.

And when it comes to ALCS MVP Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., he’s shown all postseason that he’s bigger than the moment and not vice versa. Which is why, again, I personally experienced an unfamiliar air of confidence heading into Game Seven.

Ten years and six days apart. Bottom of the seventh inning. Both ended with a decisive home team Home Run. Fitting that Bautista (who turned 45 on Sunday) threw the first pitch before Game 7 got underway.

As much as Guerrero, Jr. has done for this team country this postseason, Monday night was all about George Springer. As soon as his bat made contact with the ball, it was almost as no-doubt as Bautista’s was a decade before.

Now, the Blue Jays welcome Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers north of the border Friday for game one. Teoscar Hernandez will face his former team, one of many storylines this match-up will present.

For the first time in 32 years, Toronto baseball knows another two words.

Two words.

World Series.