In a packed Rogers Centre buzzing with playoff energy, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wasted no time making his mark on the American League Division Series. The Toronto Blue Jays first baseman crushed a towering home run to left-center in his first at-bat of the postseason, a 385-foot shot off Yankees starter Luis Gil that gave Toronto an early 1-0 lead against New York. It was Guerrero's first career playoff homer, and indeed, it set the tone for a gritty battle on this crisp October evening.
The Yankees, favorites coming in with their powerhouse lineup, struck back quickly. Cody Bellinger delivered a two-out RBI single in the third, tying the game at 1-1 after Aaron Judge drew a walk and advanced on a double from Gleyber Torres. But Toronto's bullpen, holding firm through six innings, kept the visitors in check. By the middle of the seventh, the Blue Jays nudged ahead 2-1 on a sacrifice fly from Bo Bichette, capitalizing on a Yankees error that let George Springer reach base.
Guerrero, no stranger to Yankee Stadium showdowns—having tormented them with four hits in a September rout—looked every bit the star his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, once was. The elder Guerrero, watching from afar, must have nodded in approval; after all, both have now notched 40-homer seasons in their careers, a rare father-son feat. Yet for all Guerrero Jr.'s flair, the Yankees' offense sputtered, managing just five hits through seven frames. Their ace Gil labored through 4.2 innings, surrendering the homer but otherwise limiting damage with 48 pitches.
However, Toronto's pitching held the line, with relievers Tim Hill and Cam Doval combining for scoreless frames amid a tense crowd of over 40,000. The Blue Jays, wildcard entrants fighting for survival, showed resilience after a uneven regular season. New York, meanwhile, leaned on their depth but couldn't break through, leaving runners stranded in key spots. Guerrero's blast wasn't just power; it carried the weight of Toronto's hopes in this best-of-five series.
Moreover, as the eighth inning loomed with the score tight at 2-1, both teams eyed the late drama unfolding. Indeed, the Yankees' bullpen depth could shift the momentum, but Guerrero's early statement lingers. What this opener reveals about the series' path remains to be seen, inviting fans to ponder the twists still ahead.