Jorge Polanco is becoming a playoff hero this postseason. The former Twins second baseman began his heroics by tagging Tigers ace Tarik Skubal for two home runs in the Mariners' 3-2 American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 victory, hitting a walk-off single in the 15th inning of ALDS Game 5 to send Seattle to the ALCS, and going 2-for-4 with two RBI singles in ALCS Game 1 to give the Mariners a 3-1 road win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Twins fans don't know how to feel after Jorge Polanco rocks Louis Varland in ALCS
Polanco continued where he left off in ALCS Game 2 on Monday, hitting a go-ahead, three-run home run in the fifth inning off a 98 mph fastball from familiar face Louis Varland on a 1-1 count.
Old friend vs. old friend violence: Jorge Polanco hitting a three-run homer off Louis Varland in the playoffs.pic.twitter.com/Z93HATJsgt
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 13, 2025
Polanco collected another hit, a single, and scored on a two-run homer from Josh Naylor. The Mariners ended up defeating the Blue Jays 10-3 to take a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Seattle.
Polanco's playoff heroics are reminiscent of former Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario's NLCS MVP run with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. Twins fans are likely overall happy to see Polanco come through in clutch moments this postseason with Seattle, but they also likely wish he were still a Twin. Polanco will be a free agent this offseason, so Derek Falvey can attempt to bring him back for next season.
Twins fans are also probably feeling a bit sad for Varland, a native Minnesotan. The former Twins pitcher entered the game in the fifth inning, relieving righty starter Trey Yesavage with two runners on and no outs. Varland struck out Julio Rodriguez, who hit a three-run homer in the first inning, before allowing the homer to Polanco. Varland, who also allowed big homers to Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in ALDS Game 3 in New York, then struck out Naylor and Eugenio Suárez to finish the inning and before being relieved by Mason Fluharty to begin the sixth inning.
Varland and the Blue Jays will attempt to prevent the series from becoming 3-0 in the Mariners' favor in ALCS Game 3, which is set to begin at 7:08 p.m. CT on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The game will be available to stream on FS1.