Copyright Yardbarker
On Monday, we will be treated to one of the greatest spectacles in sports: Game 7. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners in Game 6, their first win at home in the American League Championship Series, to force a decisive final game. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the rest of the lineup have been scorching hot this postseason, while the Mariners pitchers have done their jobs to try to quiet Toronto's hot bats. Now, it comes down to one game with a trip to the World Series on the line. Here is what could decide who claims the American League crown. Blue Jays offense needs to stay hot The Blue Jays offense has to continue to be on its game and score runs for their starter, Shane Bieber. The righty pitched well in Game 3, going 6.0 innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out eight. The Blue Jays have scored six or more runs in four straight games (three wins), with Guerrero Jr. leading the charge. In the three wins, he's gone 8-13 with three home runs. Guerrero Jr. seemingly is making it his mission to bring back a title for the Blue Jays. Ernie Clement has also been one of the Blue Jays' top performers at the plate, batting .412 (7-for-17) with two doubles and a triple in the last four games. These two must continue to be hot at the plate if the Blue Jays are to advance. Mariners pitching tasked with silencing Toronto's bats The Mariners pitching will help them punch their ticket to their first World Series, with first-year manager Dan Wilson trusting George Kirby to silence the Blue Jays offense. Kirby struggled against the Blue Jays in Game 3, allowing eight runs (three home runs) on eight hits in 4.0 innings. Kirby can ill afford to make the same mistakes Monday or Seattle's season could come to a disappointing end. At the first sign of trouble, Wilson won’t be afraid to go to his top bullpen arms, including Matt Brash (2.00 ERA in 9.0 innings) and closer Andre Munoz (0.00 ERA in 7.1 innings), or even one of his starters, as all hands will be on deck. Blue Jays or Mariners will make individual history by appearing in the World Series Making it to the World Series is not easy, as evidenced by the participants in this Game 7, which will mark the first LCS Game 7 between teams with a 30+ year World Series drought or who haven't made a World Series appearance. The Blue Jays have not made it to the World Series since winning it all in 1993, while the Mariners have never appeared in the Fall Classic in their 48-year history.
