The Seattle Mariners have done it again, electrifying fans with a dramatic, marathon victory that has punched their ticket to the American League Championship Series (ALCS). After a heart-stopping 15-inning battle against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on October 10, 2025, the Mariners emerged victorious, clinching Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) and setting the stage for a much-anticipated showdown with the Toronto Blue Jays.
For Mariners faithful, this win was more than just another notch in the postseason belt—it was an endurance test that demanded nerves of steel. The game, tied for hours, kept fans on the edge of their seats, with every pitch and play magnified by the stakes. When Leo Rivas delivered an RBI single in the seventh inning, the roar from the Seattle crowd was deafening, but it would take eight more innings before the Mariners finally sealed the deal. According to MLB Photos, "Leo Rivas #76 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates on first base after hitting an RBI single in the seventh inning during Game Five of the American League Division Series." The tension was palpable, and when the final out was recorded, the celebration was nothing short of euphoric.
The ALDS series itself was a rollercoaster. The Tigers struck first, edging the Mariners 3-2 in Game 1. But Seattle responded in kind, taking Game 2 by the same score. Game 3 saw the Mariners flex their offensive muscles, winning 8-4, before the Tigers roared back in Game 4 with a 9-3 victory. That set up the winner-take-all Game 5, where, after 15 innings of grueling baseball, the Mariners triumphed 3-2. With that, the Mariners advanced to the ALCS, where the stakes are even higher: a trip to the World Series hangs in the balance.
Now, with just a single day to catch their breath, the Mariners are headed north of the border for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. The series opens Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, with Games 1 and 2 taking place on Blue Jays turf before the series shifts back to Seattle for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, the teams will return to Toronto for Games 5, 6, and 7 on October 17, 19, and 20, respectively. The schedule is tight, the travel demanding, but for this Mariners squad, adversity has become a familiar companion.
Fans aren’t letting geography—or time zones—stand in their way. The morning after the marathon win, diehard Mariners supporters were spotted at Sea-Tac Airport, boarding early flights to Toronto. And they’re not alone in their determination: Alaska Airlines, the official airline sponsor of the Mariners, stepped up in a big way to help fans follow their team to the ALCS. Even before the outcome of Game 5 was decided, Alaska Airlines pledged to add an extra flight from Seattle to Toronto if the Mariners advanced. True to their word, the airline announced just an hour after the game’s conclusion that a special nonstop flight would depart Seattle at 9:18 a.m. PT on Sunday, October 12, giving fans plenty of time to get to the Rogers Centre for the 8:03 p.m. ET first pitch.
"As the official airline sponsor of the Mariners, we couldn’t be prouder of this amazing team," an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said in an email Saturday morning, confirming the successful departure of the 9:18 a.m. flight to Toronto. The airline also added a nonstop return flight from Toronto to Seattle on Tuesday, October 14, to bring fans back for Game 3 at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, October 15. And if the Mariners keep this magical run alive all the way to the World Series? Alaska Airlines says they’re ready to "go big."
Travel options for fans don’t stop there. Alaska Airlines already operates a daily nonstop flight from Seattle to Toronto, departing at 7:18 a.m. PT and arriving at 3 p.m. ET. As of Saturday morning, tickets for the added Sunday flight were still available, priced around $550. For those seeking alternatives, Air Canada offers its own nonstop service, with a flight leaving Seattle at 12 p.m. PT and arriving in Toronto at 7:44 p.m. ET. Seats on both the Saturday and Sunday flights were listed at about $713, according to Air Canada’s website. Whether flying for the love of the game or the thrill of the postseason, Mariners fans are making their presence felt in Toronto.
This surge of support is more than just a show of loyalty—it’s a testament to the bond between the team and its city. After years of heartbreak and near-misses, the Mariners’ postseason run has reignited baseball fever in Seattle. The team’s gritty, never-say-die attitude has mirrored the spirit of its fans, who are willing to cross borders and time zones to back their boys in blue. The ALCS isn’t just a test of baseball skill; it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the shared dream of reaching the World Series.
For the Mariners, the road ahead is daunting. The Toronto Blue Jays, hosting the first two games as the higher seed, are no strangers to October baseball. Their roster is stacked with talent, and the Rogers Centre promises to be a cauldron of noise and energy. But if the Mariners have proven anything this postseason, it’s that they thrive under pressure. Their Game 5 win against the Tigers was a masterclass in perseverance—fifteen innings, countless high-stress moments, and ultimately, the resolve to outlast their opponent.
The ALCS will air nationally on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on the FOX ONE app. Fans can catch all the action from October 12 onward, with each game carrying the weight of postseason dreams. The winner of this best-of-seven series will represent the American League in the World Series, a stage that has eluded the Mariners since the franchise’s inception. Could this be the year Seattle finally breaks through?
As the Mariners prepare for Game 1 in Toronto, the city of Seattle buzzes with anticipation. The players have just one day to rest, recover, and refocus before stepping onto the biggest stage of their season. For fans, the journey continues—whether from the stands in Toronto, the bleachers at T-Mobile Park, or the comfort of home, the excitement is palpable.
One thing’s for certain: the Mariners and their fans are ready for whatever comes next. The ALCS is set, the flights are booked, and the dream of a World Series berth is alive and well in Seattle. All eyes now turn to Toronto, where a new chapter in Mariners history is about to begin.
