2022 American League Wild Card Series

[7] The Toronto Blue Jays (92–70) clinched a postseason berth on September 29 for their first appearance since 2020 after missing out on the postseason by one game last year[8][9] and secured home-field advantage in the wild card round as the best wild card team (non-division winner) in terms of record on October 3, accomplishing back-to-back 90-win seasons for the first time since 1992 and 1993, which were the two seasons they repeated as champions.

The two teams previously met in the 2013 American League Wild Card Game when Tampa Bay defeated Cleveland 4–0.

[25] Two runs would be all the Guardians needed as Emmanuel Clase closed the game with a perfect ninth, giving the All-Star closer his first career postseason save.

The Rays had runners on the corners on the top of the 12th, but Ramírez turned a ground ball by Manuel Margot into a difficult out at first base to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 13th, with both teams having increasingly depleted bullpens, ace Corey Kluber made his first relief appearance in more than nine years,[27] that would eventually end up surrendering the walk-off home run to Oscar González.

Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah began the game by hitting the Mariners' star rookie outfielder Julio Rodríguez.

Cal Raleigh then worked Manoah a full count before hitting a home run over the right field fence to give the Mariners a 3–0 lead in the top of the first.

Four runs would be all that Mariners ace Luis Castillo needed, as the big trade deadline acquisition twirled a shutout over 7+1⁄3 innings, striking out five and allowing just six hits.

[31] For the Blue Jays, George Springer and Matt Chapman each had two hits, while Toronto relievers combined for 3+1⁄3 scoreless innings after Manoah exited the game.

After a strikeout and a pop out, he was relieved by Tim Mayza, who allowed Seattle to cut the lead down to 8–5 on a wild pitch and a three-run home run from Carlos Santana.

In the bottom of the ninth, rookie starter George Kirby worked around a one-out walk to Chapman to earn the first save of his career and send the Mariners to the American League Division Series.