Toronto erupted in celebration Wednesday night as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 5–2 to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2016, sparking a wave of fan reactions online.
The Jays entered Game 4 at Yankee Stadium with a 2–1 series lead, aiming to close out their AL Division Series in the Bronx.
Holding on to a slim 2–1 lead in the seventh, the Blue Jays broke the game open with a big hit from Nathan Lukes. Myles Straw added another run in the eighth, giving Toronto the breathing room it needed to finish the job and quiet the New York crowd.
The Jays will now face the winner of the Detroit-Seattle series, with Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) set for Sunday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
REACTIONS POUR IN ONLINE
Social media lit up moments after the win, with fans celebrating the team’s incredible playoff run.
“What an absolute team effort! Everyone contributed, way to go Jays!!!” one user wrote on Reddit.
“What an amazing run this has been. Never been more stressed in my life during tonight’s win. But wow. Can’t believe this team, who I predicted to finish 4th in the AL East, just knocked out the Yankees and is on to the ALCS. This is the best,” another added.
“Wow, I was so stressed watching that game! I feel so proud to be Canadian,” a user commented.
“Let’s go!!! I love this team, and I love this community!! Let’s go Jays!! We want it all!!” another user wrote.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also shared his congratulations to the Canadian team on X, writing: “On to the next. Congratulations @BlueJays, making us proud.”
Mayor Olivia Chow joined in on the celebrations too, and posted on X, saying: “START SPREADING THE NEWS.”
Premier Doug Ford also congratulated the team, posting on X: “Ontario and Canada are cheering you on all the way!”
PUBLIC VIEWING PARTIES IN THE CITY
As playoff fever continues to build, Chow announced on Wednesday that the City of Toronto will host a series of free public viewing parties for all remaining postseason games.
Fans will be able to gather at outdoor locations across the city to watch the games on big screens, creating a festive, communal atmosphere for Toronto’s Blue Jays playoff run.
The viewing locations for the ALCS have yet to be announced, while all World Series watch parties will take place at Nathan Phillips Square.
Updates will be shared on the city’s website as the postseason continues.
