The 2025 MLB Postseason is heating up as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays took home league pennants and advance to this year's Fall Classic. Both the American League and National League Championship Series delivered must-see, action-packed baseball including a clutch home run in Game 7 from a 2010 Collegiate National Team alum. Catch up on all the postseason action and the top performances from USA Baseball alums!
DODGERS VS. BREWERS
Powered by a trio of USA Baseball alums, the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers in four games to advance to the World Series. Mookie Betts (2023 WBC), Freddie Freeman (2005 16U, 2006 18U) and Will Smith (2023 WBC) combined to pick up 12 hits in the four games, helping LA secure its spot in the Fall Classic for the second consecutive year. Betts played a stellar shortstop for the Dodgers while picking up hits in Games 3 and 4, also driving in a key insurance run in the opening game of the series. Freeman was also pivotal in Game 1, opening the scoring in the sixth with a solo home run as part of a two-hit effort in the win before collecting knocks in Games 2 and 4. Smith batted .400 and caught all four games behind the dish, reaching base twice in every game.
For Milwaukee, three-time Team USA alum Brice Turang played every inning at second base and picked up his lone hit of the series in Game 2. Christian Yelich (2017 WBC) served as the Brewers designated hitter and reached in three of the four contests. Four-time U.S. alum Andrew Vaughn made three starts at first base for the Brew Crew.
MARINERS VS. BLUE JAYS
The Toronto Blue Jays staved off elimination in back-to-back days and advanced to its first World Series for the first time in 32 years behind historic showings from USA Baseball alumni and a heroic Game 7 performance by George Springer (2010 CNT). Down by two with two on and only eight outs of offense left, Springer took matters into his own hands and delivered a familiar sight seen by Toronto fans just 10 years prior when Jose Bautista launched a go-ahead, three-run home run in Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS. Springer’s three-run jack handed the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead with his 23rd career postseason homer and third and most important home run of the series to send his team to the Fall Classic. Over the seven-game stretch, he racked up eight hits, seven RBI, and seven runs scored.
Springer was not the only USA Baseball alum to provide a clutch performance, however, as Trey Yesavage earned the start in a must-win Game 6 and did not disappoint. At 22-years-old and in only his sixth start of his rookie season, the 2023 CNT alum out of East Carolina delivered a huge performance on the bump, hurling 5.2 innings while striking out seven to keep Toronto afloat. Meanwhile, Kevin Gausman (2009 18U, 2011 CNT) got the nod on two occasions and went 5.2 innings apiece, allowing a combined total of only six hits and three runs. Veteran Max Scherzer (2005 CNT) made his first postseason start in two years in Game 6, firing 5.2 innings of three-hit ball while surrendering just two runs. Daulton Varsho, who played in the 2019 Premier12 for Team USA, started every game in center and posted a multi-hit performance in Game 3 and Game 7.
Meanwhile, Seattle’s deepest postseason run in franchise history came to an end at Rogers Centre Monday evening, as did one USA Baseball alum’s hope of World Series aspirations. J.P. Crawford (2009 14U) was Seattle’s everyday shortstop and played flawless defense during the ALCS. The longest-tenured Mariner picked up a trio of hits over the series while his week was highlighted by a two RBI performance in Seattle’s 10-3 win in Game 2.
