Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Shines as Blue Jays Dominate Yankees in ALDS Opener

Toronto, Ontario, CAN — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. helped the Toronto Blue Jays secure a 10-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) on October 4, 2025, at Rogers Centre.

In a crucial moment of the game, Guerrero hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, contributing to his overall performance of 3-for-4 with two RBIs. This game marked a significant turning point for Guerrero, who had not homered in over a month prior to the postseason.

During the broadcast, Fox’s Joe Davis highlighted Guerrero’s struggles, stating, “If the Jays are going to make a run, they’ve got to get more from Guerrero, who’s not homered in a month.” His broadcast partner, John Smoltz, agreed, mentioning Guerrero’s recent decline in performance.

Despite his prior challenges, Guerrero’s first at-bat in the playoffs saw him break the home run drought, adding excitement to the team’s offensive surge. After the game, Davis said, “Calendar flips to October and he gets his first home run in a month.” The moment added to the lore of what some fans call the “Davis jinx,” referencing Davis’s knack for predicting outcomes just before they happen.

This victory also snapped a disheartening seven-game postseason losing streak for Toronto that stretched back to the 2016 ALCS. Guerrero’s performance stood out, especially after a mediocre September where he had a .592 OPS. His success in Game 1 comes after the Blue Jays had faced playoff exits for three consecutive years.

In addition to Guerrero’s contributions, catcher Alejandro Kirk recorded two solo homers, piecing together a powerful offensive display from the Blue Jays. The win sets a promising tone as they look to advance in the postseason.

As the series continues, fans and analysts alike will closely watch Guerrero’s performance, hoping this marks a turning point in the young star’s playoff career.