Canada's Blue Jays Secure World Series Showdown With the Dodgers
The outfielder contributed to the Astros securing the championship in the 2017 season.
Canada's MLB team earned a spot in their initial championship series after 1993 by overcoming the Seattle Mariners in the seventh seventh game of the American League Championship Series.
Behind 3-1, outfielder George Springer hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, leading the Toronto squad in the majors to a four games to three win in the best-of-seven series. Awaiting them are the defending champions, holders of the current crown, in the upcoming Fall Classic.
"I'm just so happy for this squad, the city, Canada," said Springer, a key player of the Houston Astros team that secured the 2017 title. "This is such an unbelievable moment."
The veteran has now connected for twenty-three playoff homers, making him third in history after Manny Ramirez (twenty-nine) and Jose Altuve (twenty-seven).
"It's hard to imagine anyone else on planet Earth that I'd prefer in that spot other than George Springer with his October magic," noted manager John Schneider.
Seattle's team, who had led the series 2-0 and 3-2, are still the only MLB franchise yet to make an appearance in a World Series.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson said "there's no question that it hurts" following his team's loss at their home ballpark, but praised their performance in the campaign.
"This is a unique group. Unfortunately that we had to come out on the unsuccessful side of this game," he remarked.
The Blue Jays secured the World Series on their two prior appearances in 1992 and '93, and are set to host the Los Angeles in the first game on the upcoming Friday.