“Chicago is my favorite city,” Keller said, via Mooney. “I love being in Chicago. I love playing for the Cubs. This is definitely a place that I want to come back to and enjoy. I know a lot of these guys are returning to this clubhouse, and I feel like there’s something special here. I would love to be a part of it, for sure.”
Keller, 30, made a career-high 68 appearances in 2025, posting a 2.07 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 69.2 innings. He finished the season on a tear, allowing only one run and eight hits over his final 27.2 innings (0.33 ERA).
Along the way Keller converted his only two save opportunities, then assumed the primary ninth-inning role in the postseason. He allowed only one run in 5.2 innings across five October games against the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.
The Brewers ended the Cubs’ season by defeating them in a five-game National League Division Series last week.
Keller signed a minor league contract with the Cubs on Jan. 31 that paid $1.5 million if he made the team’s 26-man roster. His contract was purchased on March 25, and he never looked back.
After a dominant finish to the season in the heat of a playoff hunt, Keller can expect a much nicer payday this offseason.
From 2018-21, Keller was primarily a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. But after failing to post a winning record outside the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he was demoted to the bullpen midway through the 22 campaign.
A shoulder injury limited Keller to 11 games with the Royals in 2023. Pitching for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs in 2024, he shuffled between the majors and Triple-A.
Healthy and effective this year, Keller made a strong case for the Cubs to bring him back in 2026.
Thomson will be entering the final year of his contract, making 2026 a true make-or-break season for both Thomson and the Phillies.
Philadelphia Heartbreak
It’s been five days since the Phillies lost Game 4 of the NLDS in the most heartbreaking fashion you could imagine. The first series in MLB history to end on an error. Of course, it would happen to the Phillies.
It took me all day Friday to go through the stages of grief following the loss. I was not angry at Kerkering for a miscue throw to—the. In fact, I completely understand the mental state when you first bobble a ball. Even if you knew where you were supposed to go with the ball, the second you bobble it, panic sets in, and that’s exactly what happened. I know Kerkering can be a good reliever, and I hope he bounces back next year with us.
Different Year, Same Result
While my sympathy was with Kerkering, my anger was directed towards Rob Thomson, the entire lineup aside from JT Realmuto, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos. The big three of Turner, Schwarber, and Harper went 1-14 in the Game 4 elimination game. The third season in a row, the big guns disappeared when it mattered most. That part of it is on the players, and while Rob Thomson makes the lineup, he can’t control what pitches these guys are swinging at.
Rob Thomson controls the bullpen and who comes in certain situations. This is part of his job; Rob Thomson has been horrible at it in the postseason. In 2023, he brought Craig Kimbrel in against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which eventually led to the Phillies blowing the lead and the series. Since that series, Rob Thomson has poorly managed the bullpen when it matters the most. It’s led to the Phillies blowing leads in multiple playoff games over the last few years, including in this year’s series. Going to Kerkering with runners on was a terrible idea from the start. 8/13 inherited runners have scored on Kerkering since August. Having him in the game in that moment was a terrible decision by Rob Thomson. Even leading up to that, one might question why we walked Ohtani in the 7th inning to load the bases? Duran would walk in a run, tying the game 1-1 after Mookie Betts worked a walk. Thomson made a few questionable decisions, but it’s not solely on him to blame.
What Went Wrong?
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
I touched on the lack of production from Turner, Schwarber, and Harper before, but it’s important to know how flat-out bad these three were in this series. Aside from the Game 3 outburst, these three underperformed when the lights were the brightest. While I still want the Phillies to re-sign Kyle Schwarber, you have to wonder if he decreased his price tag following his poor October showing. Harper and Turner need to figure out a way to make their $300 million price tags worth it come October. Harper had an incredible postseason in 2023 and 2024, but his last two postseason showings have been lackluster. You aren’t gonna win many baseball games when the highest-paid players don’t show up.
Harrison Bader was injured with a groin injury, which also hurt the Phillies in terms of their lineup. Bader was such a spark for this team down the stretch, and his absence should not go unnoticed. I’m hoping the Phillies could bring him back, but the question is for how much and where he would play. If Bader did play his last game in a Phillies uniform, he was an incredible addition to this team, and it’s a shame he got injured when he did.
I tip my cap to Alec Bohm and JT Realmuto, who had really strong showings at the plate in the division series. I would love to have JT back behind the plate next year, as he is set to hit free agency. If JT walks, I expect the Phillies to possibly pursue a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for catcher Adley Rutschman. Rutschman would be a nice replacement for the Phillies if Realmuto isn’t on the team next year. With that being said, I do hope JT works out a deal and hopefully ends his career as a Phillie.
Pitching Excellence
The starting pitching once again showed up when it mattered most, despite not having Zack Wheeler. Christopher Sanchez pitched two great games and further solidified himself as a true ace during this series. Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez all pitched great throughout the series as well. The starting pitching was dominant all year, and they performed well above expectations in this series.
Ranger Suarez is the only starting arm that is a free agent this upcoming winter. The big question is, do you pay Ranger Suarez knowing you have a replacement in Andrew Painter coming up? Suarez has been one of the best lefties in the game over the last two years, so although it would hurt to lose him, the Phillies might not be able to afford to keep him. It’s going to be very interesting to see where Suarez lands this upcoming offseason.
Season Conclusion
That’s officially a wrap on the Phillies’ 2025 season, as well as my first season covering the team. It was a pleasure to bring you weekly storylines and my thoughts on this ball club throughout the year. The season ended like no one could have expected, with a game-losing error. One of the main things I love about baseball is that you can shake off whatever happened in the game before and get right back at it within a day or two. But in this scenario, having to sit with this feeling all offseason is certainly going to sting.
While some fans (including myself) are still angry with this team and the result, I can already feel the excitement and optimism of opening day 2026 when the Texas Rangers come to town. Only 163 days until The Bank is packed for Opening Day on March 26, 2026!
One Last Weekly Prediction: The Seattle Mariners are going to be your 2025 World Series Champions.
The Seattle Mariners are just two wins away from a trip to the World Series and Mariners legend and MLB analyst Harold Reynolds joins Good Day Seattle.
SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners are on a hot streak, and their next game is scheduled to be back on their home turf at T-Mobile Stadium. We break down how to watch Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
At 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m PT, on Wednesday, the Mariners will face the Canadian team again with a 2-0 series lead.
The game will be available on FS1 or you can stream it on either the FOX One app or FOX Sports app. Canadian viewers can access the game through Sportsnet.
Mariners performance in ALCS so far
The Seattle Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
In Game 2, they showed no signs of slowing down with an impressive 10-3 victory over the Blue Jays in Tornto to take a 2-0 series lead.
Heading into Game 3, the Mariners are now just two wins away from their first ever trip to the World Series.
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SEATTLE – Victory Hall was packed again Monday with Mariners fans watching ALCS Game 2, many turning into “party animals” after the win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The crowd got in touch with their animal nature while cheering on the team.
“It’s gone to the dogs absolutely,” said Ande Edlund, the owner of Chase the dog.
Chase is a regular at Bark in the Park.
“Chase loves Mariners games. He’s best friends with the Mariners Moose. He just met Humpy for the first time today,” said Edlund.
Humpy left his first meeting with Chase a little worse for wear.
“He actually grabbed one of the water wings to try to get a souvenir,” said Edlund.
At Victory Hall, it was All Paws on Deck for cat lovers too, especially Matilda fans.
“I think she is great. She helps with games and everything,” said Nat, a fan of Matilda the cat.
The Persian belonging to Andres Munoz has become a hit in her own right. We talked to many people that believe she may even possess some special “paw-ers”.
“Does Matilda have the power to win inside of Matilda?” asked Mark Paschal, to his daughter Rosa. “I think that Matilda helps. Cats don’t really focus on the past, only the present.”
The moose was also loose in the crowd.
“This is a lucky moose, maybe. Half the games I’ve won with the moose on, half of the games not,” said Kevin Gangi, who was wearing a Mariners moose on his hat brim.
Fans also sported their walrus mustaches for good luck.
“We were in a slump earlier in the season and one of the players, so one of the players said, let’s all just stash up so we can do something different, and we’ve been winning ever since,” said Theresa Cardamone, who was wearing a mustache Monday.
With the fans and players running on animal instinct, the crowd went wild after the Mariners brought home another win Monday.
The owners of Victory Hall plan to expand their outdoor space and beer garden for ALCS Game 3, when the Mariners are back home in T-Mobile Park to face off again against the Blue Jays.
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The Source: Information in this story came from original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.
The Milwaukee Brewers turned one of the strangest double plays on Monday night in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dodgers slugger Max Muncy was at the plate in the top of the fourth inning with the bases loaded and one out. He hit a long drive to center field. Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick tracked the ball down, but it went off his glove and hit the wall.
Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick celebrates after the last out in the top of the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Frelick recovered and fired the ball to the infield, and the defense was able to get Teoscar Hernandez with the force out. Will Smith misjudged the ball and never ran to third base, allowing catcher William Contreras to jog to third base and get the final out of the inning.
Frelick was astonished. The Dodgers failed to pick up any runs in that inning.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández is forced out at home by Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras during the fourth inning in Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
However, the offense was still limited for the Brewers. Milwaukee went down in order in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a home run in the top of the sixth to put Los Angeles up one run.
The Dodgers are looking to defend their World Series championship, which they won over the New York Yankees in 2024.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman watches his home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Brewers are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2018. Milwaukee lost to the Dodgers in seven games. The Brewers haven’t made an appearance in the World Series since 1982. They have no rings as an organization.
SEATTLE – As the Seattle Mariners are set to play Games 3 and 4 of the American League Championship Series at T-Mobile Park, the team introduced several new food items for fans to enjoy at the game.
The ballpark will soon have four more food options, available on Wednesday for Game 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Here’s a look at what’s new on the Mariners menu:
Hook, Line & Sinker Sandwich
Hook, Line & Sinker Sandwich (Seattle Mariners)
Fried pollock filet on a buttered brioche bun, layered with shredded lettuce and American cheese, and finished with caviar-tartar sauce (Available at Section 249)
Snake River Chili Bowl
Washington Raised Beef from Snake River Farms and chili beans simmered with Northwest spices, served in a sourdough bread bowl, topped with Beecher’s cheddar and rosemary sour cream (Sec. 136, 243 & 313)
Bigfoot BBQ Platter
Full rack of slow-smoked pork ribs glazed with huckleberry BBQ sauce, paired with apple-cabbage slaw, beer-braised baked beans and cornbread (Sec. 313)
Huckle-Nut Cannoli
Crispy rosemary-scented cannoli filled with huckleberry sweet cream, finished with toasted hazelnuts and drizzled smoked huckleberry caramel (Coffee Stands)
Big picture view:
These new menu options come just after the Mariners unveiled five other postseason food items, including the PNW Pretzel, Pacific Pitmaster Potato and Claws & Caviar.
“We’re happy to keep adding to baseball’s best ballpark menu this Postseason,” said Mariners Vice President of Fan Experience Malcolm Rogel. “Our team is always looking for ways to improve the fan experience at T-Mobile Park and having a best-in-class food menu is something Mariners fans look forward to every time they come to the ballpark.”
Additionally, T-Mobile Park began selling new food and beverages for the 2025 MLB season. Highlights include the Nakagawa Poke Bowl, What Up Corn Dog, Ichi Wings and Lil’ Dumpers.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the Seattle Mariners and MLB.
Pete Alonso landed a two-year, $54 million contract with the New York Mets in February, an underwhelming conclusion to his first foray into free agency.
The first baseman received and rejected a qualifying offer from the Mets, which likely limited his market. Any team that signed him would have been subject to draft pick compensation, and eventually Alonso ended up back in Queens.
Now, Alonso is expected to opt out of the second year of his contract. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Alonso has his sights set on a seven-year contract in free agency.
Not so fast, said former Mets general manager Zack Scott.
“Looks like he may be back with the Mets … on a short deal after he once again overplays his hand in the market,” Scott wrote Monday on Twitter/X. “Rinse and rePete Alonso!”
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Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 in 162 games last season, with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs. His 144 OPS+ was just shy of the 146 OPS+ he posted in 2022, when he finished eighth in National League MVP voting, and the 147 OPS+ he had in 2019, when he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Scott isn’t arguing that those numbers lack luster. He’s merely pointing out that seven-year contracts for 30-year-old position players are rare. And for all Alonso offers a team at the plate, his utility on defense is limited to first base or designated hitter.
Alonso was already a fan favorite when Scott joined the Mets as an assistant general manager in Dec. 2020, leaving the Boston Red Sox. Scott was promoted to acting general manager, replacing Jared Porter in January 2021, and served in the role until September of that year.
Mets general manager David Stearns might need to stay disciplined after owner Steve Cohen splurged on Juan Soto in free agency a year ago. Alonso’s camp, meanwhile, will try to leverage his profile as an elite power hitter and fan favorite to land a longer contract than he got last year.
TORONTO – The American League Championship Series continues as the Seattle Mariners take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre Monday afternoon. Game starts at 2:03 p.m. Pacific time.
After the game, Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced that Logan Gilbert will start Game 2. Gilbert faces Trey Yesavage.
Below is everything you need to know to watch Game 2.
How to watch the ALCS
The American League Championship Series will air nationally on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on the FOX ONE app.
Radio coverage will air locally on Seattle Sports 710 AM and nationally on ESPN Radio.
The remaining games are scheduled for Oct. 13, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, and the 17th, 19th and 20th if necessary.
Full schedule for 2025 ALCS
Game 2: Mariners at Blue Jays — Monday, Oct. 13, 2:03 p.m. PT / 5:03 p.m. ET — FOX
Game 3: Blue Jays at Mariners — Wednesday, Oct. 15 (TBD) — FS1
Game 4: Blue Jays at Mariners — Thursday, Oct. 16 (TBD) — FS1
Game 5: Blue Jays at Mariners — Friday, Oct. 17 (TBD) — FS1*
Game 6: Mariners at Blue Jays — Sunday, Oct. 19 (TBD) — FS1*
Game 7: Mariners at Blue Jays — Monday, Oct. 20 (TBD) — FOX*
Full schedule for 2025 NLCS
Game 1: Dodgers at Brewers — Monday, Oct. 13, 5:08 p.m. PT / 8:08 p.m. ET — TBS
Game 2: Dodgers at Brewers — Tuesday, Oct. 14, 5:08 p.m. PT / 8:08 p.m. ET — TBS
Game 3: Brewers at Dodgers — Thursday, Oct. 16 (TBD) — TBS
Game 4: Brewers at Dodgers — Friday, Oct. 17 (TBD) — TBS
Game 5: Brewers at Dodgers — Saturday, Oct. 18 (TBD) — TBS*
Game 6: Dodgers at Brewers — Monday, Oct. 20 (TBD) — TBS*
Game 7: Dodgers at Brewers — Tuesday, Oct. 21 (TBD) — TBS*
What’s at stake?
The winner of the 2025 American League Championship Series will advance to the World Series to face the National League champion.
For Seattle, it’s a chance to reach the Fall Classic for the first time in franchise history. For Toronto, it’s an opportunity to return to the World Series for the first time in more than 30 years and pursue a third championship.
The Source: Information in this story came from FOX 13 Seattle reporting, Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners and FOX Sports.
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SEATTLE – If Sundays are for praying, the fans at Victory Hall definitely did some of their own Sunday evening as they watched the Seattle Mariners take on the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the ALCS series.
“We’re going to pull it out for sure. It’s going to be tight, but we got it, I believe,” said Tiffany, Mariners fan.
The Trident traveled through the crowd.
“It’s a lot heavier than you think. I can’t believe they let them take it. It’s a lot bigger in person,” said Jacob, another fan.
The Hall was packed with hundreds of the Mariners faithful.
“Worth it to fly here. It is 100% worth it to be here with these people,” said Everett, a fan from Spokane.
Everett said he flew to Seattle to attend the watch party at Victory Hall with his family.
“It’s been great. I’m happy to be here,” said Everett. “I’m 22, born in 2003. This is the first time the Mariners made the ALCS in my lifetime. I’m so happy about everything they accomplished.”
Humpy the Salmon mascot joined in the chorus of praise when the Mariners got on the board Sunday night.
The fish is fresh off a win of his own after the pink salmon managed his first win in the Salmon run foot race in ALDS Game 5 against the Tigers in the 15th inning.
Some also put their faith in the power of the cloth, like Jacob Nestegard.
“Every time I’ve won these Mariners shorts they’ve won a playoff game,” said Nestegard.
His shorts are pictured below.
The Source: Information in this story came from FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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SEATTLE – Sunday is game day for the Seattle Mariners as the team head to the first ALCS game for the franchise in 24 years.
Game 1 is hosted by the Blue Jays in Toronto, but there are still ways for Seattleites to get in on the fun and root for the Mariners. If you aren’t staying warm at home in front of the tv, or heading to a local bar to watch the game, there are also some free watch parties this week.
Keep reading to find out where the parties are, how to watch at home, and what is next for the Mariners in this series.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 10: Former Seattle Mariners player Ken Griffey Jr. waves to fans prior to game five of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on October 10, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
Where are Mariners playoff watch parties in Seattle?
Victory Hall across from T-Mobile Park will host two free watch parties for Game 1 and Game 2 of the American League Championship Series this week.
The first one, on Sunday, Oct. 12, will take place at 5 p.m. Then, Game 2 will happen the following day, on Monday, Oct. 13 just after 1:30 p.m.
Admission to both watch parties is free of charge. Included in the experience are the following, according to the Mariners watch party website:
23-foot Big Screen, plus additional TVs
Appearances by Humpy and Mariner Moose
Prize giveaways and claw machine, including autographed baseballs and jerseys
Trident photo opportunity
Craft brews, wine and cocktails
Seattle dogs, burgers, tacos, wings and more
How to watch the ALCS
The American League Championship Series will air nationally on FOX and FS1 at 5 p.m., with streaming available on the FOX ONE app.
Games are scheduled for Oct. 12, Oct. 13, Oct. 15 and Oct. 16, and the 17th, 19th and 20th if necessary.
ALDS series recap
Game 1: Tigers 3, Mariners 2
Game 2: Mariners 3, Tigers 2
Game 3: Mariners 8, Tigers 4
Game 4: Mariners 3, Tigers 9
Game 5: Mariners 3, Tigers 2
What’s next?
The ALCS will determine who represents the American League in the World Series. Toronto will host Games 1 and 2 as the higher seed, and Games 3 and 4 will be in Seattle.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have advanced to the American League Championship Series for the first time in nearly a decade, and the bandwagon is officially rolling.
But those new to the sport might need a primer on how exactly it works, from the sequence of the playoffs to the rules of the game.
Below, we parse through the basics.
WHAT’S THE STRUCTURE OF THE POST-SEASON?
Major League Baseball’s post-season has four rounds. MLB actually used to be two organizations, the National League and the American League, but they have been jointly holding the World Series since 1903 and were formally merged in 1999. Both leagues follow the same playoff format. The Blue Jays are in the American League.
The post-season starts with wild-card rounds, which are a best-of-three series of games played between the four lowest-ranked teams that qualified for each league’s playoffs.
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The Blue Jays won the American League East division title during the regular season, so they got to skip the wild-card round.
After the wild cards, the teams play in the Division Series, where the first team to win three games advances to the Championship Series, which is best-of-seven.
The championships are played between teams of the same league.
Then, the winner of each league’s championship advances to the World Series, which is also a best-of-seven matchup. The Blue Jays have only won the World Series twice: in 1992 and 1993.
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WHY ARE THE BLUE JAYS IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE WHEN THEY’RE A CANADIAN TEAM?
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In the 1970s, the American League wanted to create a geographical rival team to the Montreal Expos, which were part of the National League, so the Blue Jays were born.
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The Montreal Expos were relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2004, leaving the Blue Jays as Canada’s only team.
WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THE GAME?
If you want to know all the details, you can read Major League Baseball’s 192-page rule book. But here are the basics.
Each game consists of nine innings. Each team has a turn at bat during an inning, starting with the visiting team. The defensive team includes the pitcher, catcher, infielders and outfielders.
The offensive team consists of a lineup of nine batters.
The pitcher throws the ball to the catcher, and if the ball passes through the “strike zone,” the hitter can try to swing for it.
The strike zone is the area from the batter’s knees to their shoulders, over home base.
If the ball passes through the strike zone three times and the batter fails to hit it, either because they didn’t swing or because they miss the ball, they’re out. If the pitcher throws the ball and misses the strike zone four times, and the batter doesn’t swing, the batter gets to “walk” to first base.
That’s one of nine ways a batter can become a “runner” and advance to first base. The main way, however, is for the batter to hit the ball into the field.
Once the batter hits a fair ball, he becomes a runner and makes his way to first base. If a fielder catches the ball before it hits the ground, the runner is out. If the ball touches the ground before it’s caught, the person who catches it can try to get a runner out by touching the runner with the ball before they advance to the next base. In some cases they only need to touch the base the runner is headed to.
Each time a runner reaches home base after touching all three other bases, they receive a point, called a “run.”
Once three players on the offensive team are out, that team’s turn at bat is over.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON EACH TEAM?
During the post-season, each team has a roster of 26 players.
There are nine players from each team in the batting lineup, and nine on the field. That’s eight players who are both fielders and hitters, one player who is a dedicated pitcher, and one player who is the pitcher’s substitute when their team is at bat.
Other players on the roster can be substituted into the batting order. Likewise, pitchers who are in the bullpen can be substituted in for the starting pitcher.
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Deciding when to substitute players is part of the strategy of the game.
THE PLAYERS SEEM TO SPIT A LOT. WHY?
Historically, players used to chew tobacco during the game and they’d spit out the excess saliva from chewing. That’s changed over the decades, and now they chew sunflower seeds.
Some players will also chew gum while they’re in the dugout, not playing, or pull pranks on each other. It’s all part of the fun of the game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2025.
Tickets for the Mariners’ home games at T-Mobile Park are on sale at mariners.com/postseason.
Team officials encourage fans to buy only from official or verified sources to avoid fraudulent listings. Season ticket holders and Mariners Insiders receive early access to purchase opportunities before the general public.
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 10: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with teammates on the field after defeating the Detroit Tigers in Game Five of the American League Division Series presented by Booking.com at T-Mobile Park on Friday, O
When is Game 1 of the ALCS?
The Mariners will have one day off on Saturday to prepare before heading out to play the Blue Jays in Toronto. That game will be on Sunday, Oct. 12. at 4 p.m. PT.
Game 2: Oct. 13
Game 3: Oct. 15
Game 4: Oct. 16
Game 5: Oct. 17
If necessary, Game 6 will be on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.
How to watch the ALCS
The American League Championship Series will air nationally on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on the FOX ONE app.
What’s next:
The ALCS will determine who represents the American League in the World Series. Toronto will host Games 1 and 2 as the higher seed, and Games 3 and 4 will be in Seattle.
ALDS series recap
Game 1: Tigers 3, Mariners 2
Game 2: Mariners 3, Tigers 2
Game 3: Mariners 8, Tigers 4
Game 4: Mariners 3, Tigers 9
Game 5: Mariners 3, Tigers 2
The Friday night victory marks Seattle’s first ALCS appearance since 2001 and just the third in franchise history.
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SEATTLE – It was a dramatic finish to the ALDS in Seattle on Friday night as the Seattle Mariners won out against the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 win in the 15th inning. No
w, the team heads to Canada for the first game of theAmerican League Championship Series.
When is Game 1 of the ALCS?
The Mariners will have one day off on Saturday to prepare before heading out to play the Blue Jays in Toronto. That game will be on Sunday, Oct. 12. at 4 p.m. PT.
Game 2: Oct. 13
Game 3: Oct. 15
Game 4: Oct. 16
Game 5: Oct. 17
If necessary, Game 6 will be on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.
How to watch the ALCS
The American League Championship Series will air nationally on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on the FOX ONE app.
What’s next:
The ALCS will determine who represents the American League in the World Series. Toronto will host Games 1 and 2 as the higher seed, and Games 3 and 4 will be in Seattle.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 10: Jorge Polanco #7 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting the game-winning RBI single during the fifteenth inning against the Detroit Tigers to win game five of the American League Division Series at T-Mobile
How to buy ALCS tickets
Tickets for the Mariners’ home games at T-Mobile Park are on sale at mariners.com/postseason.
Team officials encourage fans to buy only from official or verified sources to avoid fraudulent listings. Season ticket holders and Mariners Insiders receive early access to purchase opportunities before the general public.
ALDS series recap
Game 1: Tigers 3, Mariners 2
Game 2: Mariners 3, Tigers 2
Game 3: Mariners 8, Tigers 4
Game 4: Mariners 3, Tigers 9
Game 5: Mariners 3, Tigers 2
The Friday night victory marks Seattle’s first ALCS appearance since 2001 and just the third in franchise history.
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(CNN) — Four hours and 58 minutes after it had begun, the longest winner-takes-all playoff game in MLB history was decided in suitably dramatic fashion on Friday night.
With the bases loaded, one out and a full count, Jorge Polanco – who was 0-for-5 up until that point – sent the 472nd pitch of the night into right field, and sent the Seattle Mariners to their first American League Championship Series (ALCS) in 24 years with a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers.
“A lot of emotions since the start of the game,” Polanco reflected afterward. “I know we played a long game, but this team never gives up. I know there is a lot of emotion but we always try and keep it simple and just try and go out there and play.”
Jorge Polanco’s hit has already gone down as one of the biggest moments in franchise history. Credit: John Froschauer / AP via CNN Newsource
Polanco’s single may be the moment that fans will still be talking about in 20 years, but Seattle’s victory in Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) was defined by an extraordinary night from its pitching staff.
Starters Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo both pitched in relief for the first time in their major league careers, while relievers Matt Brash and Eduard Bazardo made their longest ever appearances.
There were also contributions from Gabe Speier and Andrés Muñoz, after George Kirby had given up one run in five innings to kick things off.
“I don’t even know where to begin to try to recap all the heroic efforts that went into today. Just from one guy to the next,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson told reporters afterward. “Just an incredible ballgame from top to bottom.”
For the Tigers, another wonderful showing from Tarik Skubal would come to mean nothing. The two-time All-Star gave up one run off two hits and no walks in six innings, striking out 13 – a record number of punchouts for a postseason winner-takes-all game.
His dominance had Detroit 2-1 up after the sixth, in which Kerry Carpenter had hit a two-run homer off Speier.
But Skubal’s subsequent exit would see the Mariners tie the game immediately thanks to one of the evening’s many unlikely heroes.
Leo Rivas, a journeyman minor leaguer who only made his MLB debut last year, stepped up for the first postseason at-bat of his career on his 28th birthday. His single to left field brought home Polanco, and the game was tied again.
“It’s hard,” Rivas said afterward of a career which had seen him wait the best part of a decade for his opportunity. “(Watching) everybody go all the way like that. Most people just give up.
“It’s not easy. I was thinking to give up back then also.”
Rivas’ RBI single took the game to extra innings, where missed opportunities for Seattle in the 10th, 12th and 13th had the crowd at T-Mobile Park fearing a potential repeat of 2022, when the Mariners were eliminated at this stage by the Houston Astros after 18 innings.
The Seattle Mariners had not reached the ALCS since 2001. Credit: Steph Chambers / Getty Images via CNN Newsource
J.P. Crawford went 1-for-7 that night, and so it was only fitting that it should be him who touched home off Polanco’s single on Friday to clinch the walk-off victory and begin the wild celebrations.
The Mariners begin their bid to reach a first ever World Series on Sunday, facing off against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada.
Ben Verbrugge is a freelance sportswriter with a journalism degree from CSU Dominguez Hills. He is a member of the Los Angeles media and spends most of his time covering the NBA, NFL, and MLB. When not writing, he is either playing or watching sports.
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No, it wasn’t a nightmare. That really just happened.
The 96-win Phillies, fresh off their best regular-season campaign of their current era, once again collapsed in epic and dramatic fashion.
Their NLDS loss to the Dodgers — coming after a five-day bye week thanks to them earning the NL’s 2-seed — wasn’t just an early exit for a team favored to make the World Series. It was as agonizing a series loss as any team in any sport can ever have.
The Phillies were in every single game, and each of their three losses can be traced back to one mistake, or managerial decision. The Phillies probably should have won this series.
There will be plenty of time to look forward and decide what this team should do next — we have three weeks of stories planned here at PhillyVoice on that topic. But let’s take one more painful look back at what exactly went wrong, and how hindsight can solve all of the Phillies postseason issues, as it always does.
1. The bullpen in Game 1
Thomson’s first controversial decision came in Game 1, as the Phillies were clinging to a one-run lead they gave to ace Cris Sánchez. The Phillies’ manager called on David Robertson to get the last out in the sixth inning, and he did. For some reason, the 40-year-old who was mediocre during the regular season returned for the seventh and put two runners on base.
A few hitters later Teoscar Hernández hit a three-run homer (off Matt Strahm) and the Dodgers stole Game 1. Thomson’s silent admission of this being a wrong decision came later in the series — as he did not make that mistake again. He went with the best pitcher available in Games 2-4, at basically every inflection point, even calling on closer Jhoan Duran in the seventh inning of Game 4.
Had Thomson sent Ranger Suárez, who was said to be available in Game 1, or Duran, or Kerkering — anyone with more recent success than Robertson, the series could have looked completely different.
2. Harrison Bader’s groin
This was nobody’s fault, it was simple bad luck. But the Phillies’ trade deadline acquisition was arguably their best hitter over the last few months of the season and when he missed most of the series due to a groin strain, the trickle-down effect was huge.
First, he forced Brandon Marsh into action. The platooner went 1-for-12 in the series and was essentially a non-factor on offense. Despite that fact Thomson hit him in the 5-spot all series long. The Bader injury also made Nick Castellanos an everyday player again, and while he did deliver in a big way — a two-run double in Game 2 and the Phillies’ only RBI in Game 4 — his defense was clearly the same problem it was all season out in right field.
3. The bunt in Game 2
Citizens Bank Park was rocking late in Game 2, as an epic comeback was in the making. Down 4-0, three Phillies runs had crossed the plate and the Phils had a runner on second with nobody out in the ninth.
Thomson instructed Bryson Stott to bunt — and he did, into a perfectly executed “wheel play” from the Dodgers defense, gunning Castellanos down at third and essentially robbing the Phillies of a golden opportunity. We’ll be questioning this one for years. Had they not bunted, the single that followed off Bader’s bat would have plated the Phils’ fourth run and, once again, this series would have been totally different.
4. Walking Shohei Ohtani
When Duran entered Game 4 there were two men on and one man out. The Phillies were up 1-0. After a groundout, the intimidating Ohtani came up and Thomson told the umpires he was intentionally walking the Japanese superstar. This despite the fact that the two-time reigning NL MVP was struggling mightily — he was 1-for-18 with nine strikeouts in the series.
Like the bunt decision, this went south quickly as Duran walked Mookie Betts with the bases loaded to tie the game. The Phillies had enough faith in Duran to bring him in in the seventh inning against the top of the Dodgers lineup but not enough faith in him to get one of those hitters out with a one run lead?
5. Pulling Luzardo
After the Dodgers evened things out late in Game 4, the Phillies were ready, with Jesús Luzardo ready to pitch multiple innings as the pitcher’s duel went to extra innings. Luzardo mowed down the first four hitters he faced and then went single-line out-single to put two runners on with two outs. For some reason — once again Thomson intervened.
Orion Kerkering entered and everyone knows what happened next. He walked Enrique Hernández and then on a weak grounder one batter later, he threw the game away, overthrowing J.T. Realmuto at home when a throw to first would have ended the inning and sent the Phillies to the plate in the 12th inning.
Just like all of the other instances we’ve outlined here, there is no telling whether Luzardo would have been able to get that third out. Or whether pitching to Ohtani would have been the right move. Or whether the Phillies would have plated a tying run if they didn’t give a free out to the Dodgers with a bad bunt attempt. But these decisions were wrong ones. And led to the Phillies being ousted once again way before they were expected to be.
Red October used to be the most exciting time of year, with temperate weather, great vibes and optimism, with all four major sports overlapping ever so slightly in a sports-crazy city. But they’ve become pure hell for the city in recent years.
The Boston Red Sox have a busy offseason ahead of them, but All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman can change how they approach the offseason entirely.
After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Astros, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox last Winter, according to Spotrac. The 31-year-old’s contract includes a player opt-out before the 2026 season, and after being named an All-Star for the third time this season, it’s expected that Bregman will likely opt out of his contract to test free agency.
While speaking on NESN’s “310 To Left” podcast Thursday with Tom Caron and Alex Speier, Red Sox manager Alex Cora discussed Bregman’s future with the team with his decision to opt in or out of his contract looming in a video posted to X by NESN.
“I’m going to stay positive,” Cora said Thursday. “I’m going to stay very positive. This is a guy that — he chose us last year because of the right reasons. He wanted to be on a playoff team. He wanted to play in Fenway Park. He wanted to be a part of this organization. And since Day 1, he’s given 100 percent to us.
“The kid is a really good player. He knows what he wants to do. He understands who he is and what he wants, so giving him space is kind of the smart thing to do. He’s a good defender. He’s a good hitter. He controls the strike zone, and where we’re at as an industry, those are the players you want.”
Bregman slashed .273/.360/.821 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in his first season with the Red Sox, despite missing time due to injury and only playing in 114 games. The All-Star third baseman played a key role in bringing Boston back to the postseason for the first time since 2021, and even if he decides to opt out of his contract, he could still choose to play in Fenway Park again.
It was another heartbreaking night for the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, after a disastrous error in the 11th inning of Game 4 saw them crash out of the MLB postseason at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers won 2-1 on the night to clinch a NL Division Series win and advance to the NL Championship Series (NLCS), but the game will likely be remembered more for how the Phillies lost it, than how the Dodgers won.
Extra innings were needed to separate the two teams at Dodger Stadium after a tense contest saw Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos driving in Max Kepler in the top of the seventh and Justin Dean scoring for LA off a walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning.
The stage was then set for a moment the Phillies and pitcher Orion Kerkering would love to forget as quickly as possible.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the 11th, Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages struck a routine ground ball back towards Kerkering.
On any normal given day, the reliever would have thrown to first base for an easy out, but the occasion seemed to get to the 24-year-old.
Instead, he fumbled the ball, before trying to throw back to home plate, where his attempt totally missed Phillies catcher JT Realmuto’s outstretched mitt. The baffling error allowed Kim Hye-seong to score the winning run and send the home fans into a frenzy.
During the incident, Realmuto was seen pointing for Kerkering to throw to first base and, afterwards, Kim said he was equally surprised the pitcher chose to throw home. The Dodgers second baseman initially ran past home plate before returning to touch it.
While wild celebrations sparked around him, Kerkering was left standing motionless, head bowed, in the middle of the field, before some of his Phillies teammates came to comfort him.
“Just hit off my foot,” Kerkering, still visibly emotional, told reporters after the game.
“Once the pressure got to me, I just thought there’s a little faster throw to JT, little quicker throw than trying to cross-body it to Bryce (Harper at first). So just a horsesh*t throw.”
Dodgers players flooded onto the field to celebrate the win. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn / Reuters via CNN Newsource
Kerkering added that his Phillies teammates were quick to shoulder some of the blame themselves for several missed opportunities throughout the game.
Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson also had words of support for Kerkering when speaking to reporters after the defeat. The pair had been seen speaking together as the relief pitcher trudged off the field.
“He just got caught up in the moment a little bit,” Thomson said. “Coming down the stretch, he pitched so well for us.
“I feel for him because he’s putting it all on his shoulders, but we win as a team and lose as a team.”
The Dodgers, meanwhile, progressed into the NLCS for the eighth time in the last 13 seasons, where they will face either the Chicago Cubs or the Milwaukee Brewers – who play a series-deciding Game 5 of their NLDS on Saturday night in Wisconsin after the Cubs won Game 4 6-0 at Wrigley Field.
The team’s celebrations in the locker room post-game showed a squad eager to enjoy every bit of its World Series title defense.
“That was a nail-biter,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith, soaked in beer, said after the victory. “They cracked. We didn’t.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Philadelphia Phillies following an 11-inning thriller in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night.
The Dodgers had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the 11th with outfielder Andy Pages at the plate against Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering. Pages hit a bouncing grounder to Kerkering, who had a tough time fielding the ball. He needed to make a rushed throw to the catcher J.T. Realmuto, but he tossed it too high and out of his reach.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim, center, scores the game-winning run past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) on a ground ball by Andy Pages and a throwing error by Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the eleventh inning in Game 4 of baseball’s National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Hyeseong Kim scored the game-winning run to give Los Angeles the 2-1 victory. The Dodgers’ World Series title defense was still alive.
Phillies players were seen consoling Kerkering in the dugout as he stared out at the field in disbelief.
Philadelphia drew first blood in the top of the seventh. Nick Castellanos doubled to left field and scored Max Kepler. Philadelphia just needed to use its depth in the bullpen to keep Los Angeles at bay and live to play at least one more game.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim (6) celebrates with Shohei Ohtani after scoring the game-winning run on a ground ball from Andy Pages and throwing error from Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering during the eleventh inning in Game 4 of baseball’s National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
However, Cristopher Sanchez walked Mookie Betts. It allowed Justin Dean to score and tie the game.
The Dodgers received a huge pitching performance from Roki Sasaki. The rookie, who was originally signed over from Japan to be a starter, delivered three scoreless innings for the Dodgers. He struck out two on 36 pitches.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki claps on the mound during the eighth inning in Game 4 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Jays defeated the New York Yankees 5-2 on Wednesday night to stamp their ticket for a best-of-seven ALCS playoff matchup against the Detroit Tigers or Seattle Mariners, starting Sunday in Canada at Rogers Centre.
Having blown a five-run lead at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday to fumble a potential sweep, the AL East champions returned to the Bronx to take care of business and progress with a 3-1 series win.
Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and DH George Springer each drove in a run earlier in the game before outfielder Nathan Lukes provided a two-run single in the top of the seventh to put the Blue Jays up 4-1. Eight Toronto pitchers combined to keep the Yankees in check offensively with Jeff Hoffman retiring New York catcher Austin Wells with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth to effectively ice the game.
“I feel amazing,” Guerrero Jr. told MLB after sealing the Blue Jays’ ticket to the ALCS.
“I feel so good. We played for this, and I feel so good. I don’t have the words to say how I feel right now.”
The Blue Jays celebrate wildly in the locker room after victory over the New York Yankees sends them to first ALCS in nine years. Credit: Ishika Samant / Getty Images via CNN Newsource
Toronto overjoyed, but Judge’s dreams dashed again
The Blue Jays now wait to see the outcome of the decisive Tigers vs. Mariners Game 5 clash in Seattle on Friday but can get excited for their first trip to the Championship Series since 2016.
Toronto will be hoping to flip the script this time around, having been comprehensively beaten in five games by the then-named Cleveland Indians. Do that, and they can start dreaming of a third World Series title to add to the back-to-back triumphs in 1992 and 1993.
“We’ve wanted to win a World Series our entire careers,” said Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, who was spotted jogging at Yankee Stadium ahead of Wednesday’s win having been out injured since early September.
“We’re not there yet, but this is a huge step. It’s a blessing to be part of this group.”
For the Yankees, following last season’s fall at the final hurdle, the wait for a 28th World Series title will tick over to at least 17 years.
Team captain Aaron Judge went down swinging in a deflating end to another stellar individual season – yet again with no World Series ring to complete his glittering cabinet of accolades.
“That’s sports. It doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen, and he (Judge) and I wholeheartedly believe that it will,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
“You keep working your tail off to get back to this position and punch through.”
New York’s Aaron Judge is still chasing a first World Series ring. Credit: Al Bello / Getty Images via CNN Newsource
Wednesday’s Division Series results
Winners in bold
New York Yankees 2 – 5 Toronto Blue Jays (Toronto wins ALDS series 3-1)
Seattle Mariners 3 – 9 Detroit Tigers (ALDS series tied 2-2)
Philadelphia Phillies 8 – 2 Los Angeles Dodgers (LA leads NLDS series 2-1)
Milwaukee Brewers 3 – 4 Chicago Cubs (Milwaukee leads NLDS series 2-1)
