The moment the Blue Jays organization and fanbase were waiting for: the rise of “postseason Vladdy”.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr has officially entered the October conversation in style, making a huge statement in Game One.
The ALDS is well underway, and the Blue Jays’ All-Star first baseman was a huge contributor in Toronto’s blowout win over the Yankees. Before getting into the play-by-play, let’s comment on Guerrero’s overall postseason makeup and demeanour.
The first baseman got his hacks in early, looking bouncy and loose on the field during his pre-game. He was locked in, and his postseason energy showed more business than we’ve ever seen. This absolutely translated on the field.
It was noted that Guerrero had made some adjustments to his swing, and possibly his approach, too.
VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. PUTS THE @BLUEJAYS ON THE BOARD! #ALDS pic.twitter.com/s04b4tZxKv
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2025
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Guerrero Jr’s ALDS game one sets the tone for what’s to come
Small but worth acknowledging, Guerrero played out a lead-off ground ball down the first base line by Trent Grisham. While Grisham thought it was out of play, Guerrero was heads up, lighting up the Rogers Centre crowd.
In the bottom half of that inning, the Blue Jays slugger took a 90-mph changeup on the outside half of the plate deep, 367 feet over the left-field wall. This started a productive day at the dish for the Montreal-born slugger, as he went 3 for 4 with a home run, two singles, two RBIs, and scored a run.
Back to his defensive abilities, Guerrero was heads up, reactive and athletic at his position. In the top of the second inning, with one out, Yankees infielder Ryan McMahon to the dish scorched a drive to the right of the first base bag. Guerrero’s dive snagged it for a line-out, and he doubled off Jazz Chisholm Jr, who did not freeze on the liner.
Guerrero Jr’s reliability on defence is important, and his leadership on the field is crucial to a partially novice playoff team. From 2020 to 2023, the slugger has participated in three postseason stints where he averaged .143 in 2020, .125 in 2022, and .143 in 2023, producing just three hits across six games. These are not clutch batting averages; nor is a career one home run and three RBIs (which was produced in this year’s ALDS game one).
Guerrero Jr has set the tone and expectations for this series; the $500 million first baseman holds the x-factor keys to success in this series and the future series.
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