Canada's Blue Jays Earn Fall Classic Meeting Against Los Angeles Dodgers
George Springer was instrumental for the Houston Astros claiming the World Series in 2017.
Toronto's Blue Jays advanced to their initial championship series since the 1993 season by defeating the Seattle Mariners in the decisive seventh game of the AL Championship Series.
Trailing 3-1, Springer hit a three-run homer in the seventh, guiding the only Canadian franchise in Major League Baseball to a four games to three victory in the series. They will now face the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that is the defending champions, in the upcoming championship.
"I'm thrilled for everyone here, our city, our country," said Springer, an integral part of the Astros team that claimed the 2017 title. "It's truly an unbelievable moment."
George Springer has now slugged 23 October home runs, ranking him third in history trailing only Ramirez (twenty-nine) and Jose Altuve (27).
"It's hard to imagine another player in the world that I want up in that situation other than him with his playoff prowess," noted Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Seattle, who had led the series 2-0 and 3-2, continue to be the only MLB franchise that has never reached in a Fall Classic.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson commented "certainly that it's painful" following his club's elimination at their home ballpark, but commended their performance this season.
"They're an exceptional squad. It's a shame that we ended up on the unsuccessful side of this one," he remarked.
Toronto won the title on both previous visits in 1992 and 1993, and will welcome the Los Angeles in the first game on Friday.
