It’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s world, and we’re all living in it.
The Toronto Blue Jays star first baseman has been nothing short of incredible since returning from the all-star break, slashing .444/.500/1.167, hitting four home runs in five games. And while he might be the hottest player out of the break, his hot streak dates back to the middle of June.
Specifically, on June 19th, when he showed up at the Rogers Centre with a brand-new haircut. Since then, he’s slashed .336/.359/.718 for a 1.077 OPS, hitting 11 home runs and driving in 32 runs. He’s striking out in just 13.7 percent of his plate appearances, while taking just three walks. The truth is, however, he doesn’t need to be taking walks when he’s driving the ball the way he is right now.
Simply put: Vladdy is looking like the Vladdy we all know and love.
And that’s big for the Blue Jays, even in a time where they’re well out of the playoff picture. This team remaining competitive is important to ownership, and signs are pointing towards the team wanting to run it back again in 2025 with the core surrounding he and Bo Bichette.
Had this hot streak come earlier in the season, there’s a very real possibility we’re talking about the Jays being in a different position than they are today. C’est la vie, so they say.
Guerrero Jr. has a chance to keep that hot streak alive Thursday afternoon as the Blue Jays close out a series against the Tampa Bay Rays, falling in Game 1 Tuesday and having a big night Wednesday in a resounding win.
Vladdy’s led the charge, and while Rays pitcher Taj Bradley — who has been red hot himself as of late — takes the mound, a few Jays have managed to light him up before. Guerrero Jr. has gone 3-for-8 at the plate against him, hitting a home run, while George Springer is 4-for-8 with a pair of home runs.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will send Chris Bassitt to the mound.
First pitch: 3:07 p.m. EST.
TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590.
Starting pitchers:
| Name | Team | GS
|
W
|
L
|
IP
|
ERA
|
xERA
|
ERA-
|
FIP
|
WHIP
|
K/9
|
BB/9
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Bassitt | TOR | 20 | 8 | 8 | 114.0 | 3.71 | 4.22 | 93 | 3.85 | 1.42 | 8.37 | 3.63 |
| Taj Bradley | TBR | 13 | 5 | 4 | 75.1 | 2.63 | 3.69 | 68 | 3.56 | 1.05 | 10.75 | 3.11 |
Lineups:
BLUE JAYS:
- G Springer (R) RF
- S Horwitz (L) 2B
- V Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- J Turner (R) DH
- D Varsho (L) CF
- D Jansen (R) C
- D Schneider (R) LF
- E Clement (R) 3B
- L Jiménez (R) SS
- R Palacios (L) 2B
- I Paredes (R) 1B
- B Lowe (L) DH
- R Arozarena (R) LF
- J Lowe (L) RF
- A Rosario (R) 3B
- T Walls (S) SS
- J DeLuca (R) CF
- A Jackson (R) C
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Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.