Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sets Blue Jays single-postseason home run record

After signing a $500 million contract earlier this year that kicks off next year, fans were looking for Guerrero to provide an offensive spark this postseason to help shake off the October woes that have dogged Toronto since 2016.

With the ALCS entering Game 5 later this evening, so far, Guerrero has delivered.

Despite going hitless at the Rogers Centre for the first two games of the ALCS, the right-handed bat owns a .455/.500/.970 slash line with 15 hits, two doubles, 11 RBIs, and a 1.470 OPS to go with his five home runs. He produced nine of those hits against the Yankees, and when the series against the Mariners went to the West Coast, he added six more to the tally, going 4 for 4 in Game 3 with George Kirby on the mound. On top of being a power bat this October, Guerrero is also seeing the ball well at the plate, collecting four walks to just one strikeout so far.

In terms of home runs, none has been more special than the grand slam he produced in Game 2 of the ALDS against New York. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, the Jays had already chased starter Max Fried, and they were now piling on the runs against the Yankees’ bullpen. Will Warren had taken over, and Guerrero made the Yankees reliever pay on a 2-1 fastball on the inside of the plate, an offering the Jays’ first baseman sent 415 feet over the left field wall to make it a 9-0 game for the home team and gave Jays fans another bat flip to admire for years to come.

So far this postseason, Guerrero leads the league in home runs, hits (15 – one ahead of teammate Ernie Clement), OPS, SLG, and RBIs.