TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned his playoff narrative around on Saturday, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a commanding 10-1 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Prior to this game, Guerrero’s postseason performances had been lackluster, with only three hits in 25 at-bats across six playoff games, all of which ended in losses for the Blue Jays. This changed dramatically in front of an energized Rogers Centre crowd, which celebrated the franchise’s first playoff win since 2016.
In a star-studded performance, Guerrero showcased his all-around talents, contributing significantly to the Blue Jays’ success. He recorded his first career postseason home run, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while also making a remarkable diving catch, demonstrating his value to the team both offensively and defensively. “He’s the face of our franchise and a big reason why we go, a big part of why we’re here,” praised Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman.
The game featured an impressive offensive display by the Blue Jays, who amassed 14 hits, including three home runs and three doubles. Catcher Alejandro Kirk also shined, hitting his first two career postseason home runs, while right fielder Nathan Lukes contributed with two hits and three RBIs. The team’s aggressive approach at the plate led to Yankees pitcher Luis Gil being chased after only 2⅔ innings, forcing the Yankees to deploy six pitchers throughout the contest.
Manager John Schneider emphasized Guerrero’s importance in igniting the Blue Jays’ performance: “It gives you a little bit of a jolt because it’s Vlad and what he means to this team.”
Guerrero wasted no time in impacting the game, hitting a 90 mph changeup for a home run in the first inning to give the Blue Jays an early lead that they maintained. His consistent hitting included singles in the second and eighth innings, as well as a two-run sacrifice fly during a four-run seventh inning that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The victory was particularly satisfying for Guerrero, who has openly expressed disdain for the Yankees, a rivalry fueled by past grievances related to his father’s career. Guerrero explained, “For me, I bring the same energy every game regardless of who I’m playing, especially now in the playoffs. That’s all I’ve got on my mind is to go out there and play hard.”
With this strong performance, Guerrero aims to cap off an impressive season that began with his commitment to the Blue Jays on a 14-year, $500 million contract extension. He remains focused on achieving his ultimate goal: winning a World Series for Toronto, a dream that also honors his father, who never had the opportunity to claim a championship. “My goal always is to win a World Series, to bring the World Series here,” Guerrero stated. “That’s one of my goals, always been one of my goals, to do that for me, for him.”
As the series progresses, the Blue Jays will look to build on this momentum, with Guerrero at the forefront of their pursuit of postseason glory.