‘Goliath vs. Goliath’: U.S. media react to Toronto Blue Jays, LA Dodgers World Series matchup

The Toronto Blue Jays are headed to the World Series for the first time since 1993 after defeating the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 Monday night.

The come-from-behind 4-3 victory for the Blue Jays, highlighted by a 3-run home run by George Springer in the seventh inning, was on brand with Toronto’s regular season, which featured 49 comeback wins.

Now, after clawing their way out of a two-game hole in the American League Championship Series, they’ll face the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with Toronto holding home-field advantage throughout.

• READ MORE: Five things to know: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series

Here is what some U.S. media are saying about Toronto’s win and the Los Angeles Dodgers matchup:

‘This is truly Goliath vs. Goliath’: A-Rod previews World Series

Yankees great and MLB on Fox panelist Alex Rodriguez previewed the World Series picture Monday night, and said he doesn’t think the “casual fan” understands how “good” and how “balanced” Toronto is going into the best-of-seven series.

“I think everyone understands the Dodgers’ greatness, because they’ve been at this level for the last 10 years as a dominant franchise in the sport,” he said, noting LA’s superstar pitcher/hitter combo Shohei Ohtani.

“But this is not David vs. Goliath,” A-Rod said emphatically, referring to the biblical story. “This is truly Goliath vs. Goliath.”

• Here is when the Blue Jays will play the Dodgers in the World Series

“And don’t think Toronto’s (not) a big market. They have 41 million people in Canada. That’s their fan base, and they watch, and they watch closely.”

Rodriguez went on to say that he thinks Toronto has a “shot” for two reasons, the first being that LA has been off since they swept the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday and now have to fly cross country to face the Jays at home.

“They’re very tough to beat (at Rogers Centre). And now they’ve got their mojo back and they’re ready to go.”

All time, the Dodgers lead the Blue Jays 19-11 and LA has taken 14 of the previous 19 games they’ve played. This season, LA vs. Toronto is 2-1.

George Springer’s game-changing moment came ‘at the most opportune time’

It looked like the Mariners had Game 7 in the bag for most of the night until George Springer’s 3-run homer in the seventh inning.

Prior to that, analysts said the 36-year-old looked off balance in Game 6 after the 36-year old took a pitch to the knee two nights earlier in Seattle and left the game.

“He went and got it. And the moment came at the most opportune time. They (the Blue Jays) needed it. Bam, he delivered. What a moment,” the MLB Network’s Cliff Floyd said.

“And, you know what, you feel sorry for Seattle. But gosh darnit, for George Springer, this is what he does.”

‘Baseball cruelty in its most raw form’

Seattle Times staff reporter Adam Jude writes, “For a franchise steeped in pain and misery, this was an entirely new sensation.”

“For a generation of fans daring to dream for the first time, this was baseball cruelty in its most raw form.”

The Mariners led most of Game 7 until George Springer went deep in the seventh frame.

Seattle is the only team in the MLB that has never played the World Series, and as bluntly put by star catcher Cal Raleigh following the loss: “I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure.”

David Ortiz ‘sends’ the Mariners to Cancun

David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz popped tequila and “sent” the Mariners to Cancun after their Game 7 loss.

The MLB on Fox panelist and hall of famer listed off some of the Mariners former stars as he poured shots for his co-hosts and handed them cigars.

“Vamanos. Cancun. Enjoy!” he said.

The former Boston Red Sox legend held a similar celebration after the New York Yankees were eliminated by the Blue Jays in the American League Division Series.