Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched a home run to open the scoring against the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, his first home run in 21 games.
On a 2-1 count against Yankees starter Luis Gil, Guerrero worked a 2-1 count, forcing Gil to come in with a changeup. The 26-year-old jumped on the 90mph pitch, blasting a moon shot to the left field seats to open the scoring.
It ended an extended power drought for the slugging first baseman, as it was Guerrero’s first home run since Sept. 5 – in a 7-1 victory against the Yankees in New York.
Since that home run, Guerrero had just three extra-base hits over 86 plate appearances in 21 games. The slugger and five-time All-Star let frustrations boil over in a loss late in the season.
“We’re losing because we’re not scoring enough runs,” manager John Schneider said amidst a losing streak on Sept. 24, following a game where Guerrero was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the sixth inning. “It’s a borderline pitch. I think Vladdy is frustrated. I think a lot of guys are frustrated.”
“It’s Vlad. He’s our guy, and I want to defend him, but I don’t want to feed into the narrative that the umpires are screwing us, because we’re not scoring enough runs,” Schneider added.
In six career postseason games, Guerrero has hit just .136 (3-for-22) with a double and one run batted in. His 2025 postseason has already gotten off to a much stronger start.