George Springer’s Game-Saving Catch Goes Viral: Must-Watch Play and What It Means for the Blue Jays

TORONTO — George Springer wasted no time reminding everyone why October baseball seems tailor-made for him. The Toronto Blue Jays’ leadoff catalyst ripped a line-drive double off the left-center-field wall in the fifth inning Friday night at Rogers Centre, driving in Kevin Kiermaier to erase a 2-1 deficit and ignite the Jays’ 4-3 comeback win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The best-of-seven matchup is now deadlocked at 2-2, guaranteeing the series will return to T-Mobile Park. Hot at the right time Springer’s opposite-field laser was his eighth extra-base hit of the 2025 postseason, the most by any Toronto player this October. The 36-year-old outfielder is slashing .327/.397/.653 with three homers and 11 RBI across 11 playoff games, echoing the October dominance he displayed during Houston’s 2017 title run. “Every pitch matters this time of year,” Springer said postgame. “I’m just trying to get on base for the guys behind me and control what I can control.” A lineup coming alive Springer’s spark set the table for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose towering two-run blast in the seventh inning flipped the score for good. Guerrero and Springer have now combined for seven home runs in the ALCS, accounting for 14 of Toronto’s 26 postseason runs. Their resurgence has shifted pressure back onto a Mariners staff that rode elite starting pitching to a 2-0 series lead. Veteran arms trading blows Seattle counters in Game 6 with Luis Castillo, while Toronto turns to three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, who dazzled for six scoreless innings in Game 4 to even the series. Springer credited Scherzer’s fiery presence for energizing the clubhouse: “When Max is pounding the zone and yelling into his glove, it’s hard not to feel that adrenaline.” Key matchup moving forward Springer versus Mariners setup man Matt Brash looms as a pivotal showdown. Brash’s wipe-out slider neutralized Toronto’s right-handed power early in the series, but Springer adjusted by attacking early-count fastballs in Games 4 and 5. Expect manager John Schneider to keep Springer atop the order, maximizing plate appearances against Seattle’s bullpen. Postseason legacy watch With 23 career playoff homers, Springer sits four shy of tying Albert Pujols for fourth on MLB’s all-time list. His .915 postseason OPS ranks second among active players with at least 250 playoff plate appearances, trailing only Bryce Harper. What’s next Game 6 is set for Saturday at 7:07 p.m. ET in Seattle. If necessary, Game 7 will follow Sunday night. The winner punches a ticket to the World Series against either the Atlanta Braves or the Los Angeles Dodgers. SEO keywords: George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, ALCS Game 5, MLB playoffs 2025, American League Championship Series, postseason stats, Max Scherzer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Luis Castillo.