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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in tears after Blue Jays victory

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fell into the pot of magic potion when he was young, and has been around baseball all his life. His father, Vlad Sr., regularly took him to the stadium to watch him play and hang around his family’s dugout, which included the Montreal Expos.

But despite the fact that the old man is now a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, he never won a World Series in his career. Fiston, however, is on a mission to win one for him.

That’s why Junior had a very emotional reaction in what turned out to be the biggest moment of his career.

Indeed, after Jeff Hoffman retired Julio Rodriguez on strikes to seal the outcome of the game, the Toronto Blue Jays players on the field were overcome with emotion. But none more so than Guerrero Jr., who broke down in tears following the Toronto Blue Jays’ victory in the final game of the American League Championship Series.

My personal goal is to win a World Series and give my father the ring.

And the least we can say is that Vladdy has taken the means of his ambitions at the 2025 Fall Dance, all after signing a fourteen-year, $500 million contract extension at the start of the current campaign.

The latter hit six home runs in eleven playoff games and collected 19 sure hits. Now he’ll have the opportunity to play in the World Series for the first time in his career, and it’s abundantly clear how much it means to him to go after the big trophy for himself, and for Dad.

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Bo Bichette: “I’ll be ready” for the World Series

The Toronto Blue Jays have made it to the World Series. Last night, they beat the Seattle Mariners on a George Springer home run to win 4-3.

On Friday, the World Series moves to Toronto. And in the meantime, there was a lot of celebrating in the Queen City’s hottest club: the clubhouse. #ClubHouse

If there’s one question everyone in town is asking, it’s whether Bo Bichette, who hasn’t played for several weeks now, will be able to return to action.

When asked about this, the main player was clear: yes, he’ll be ready on Friday.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1980495940537475204

How will he be used? After all, he’s never been a dominant defensive player for the Blue Jays… and right now, the club is better than ever defensively.

Ask Trey Yesavage if it matters or not…

The problem is that George Springer is impossible to get out of the lineup, and he’s playing as a premium hitter. That’s been true since the start of the playoffs, but it’s been even truer since he hurt his knee.

Can he really dislodge Springer? I don’t think so.

There’s also the question of whether Bichette’s batting timing will be good against hot starters in Los Angeles, considering his long absence, and whether he’s really feeling good with his knee.

He said yesterday that it’s been comfortable for four days.

https://twitter.com/MitchBannon/status/1980488847885746602

Considering all that, and knowing that a full game could be a lot, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take Joey Loperfido’s place in the 26-man lineup, but to see him used as an alternate hitter early in the series.

But maybe we’re wrong and he’ll be DH once in a while, George Springer will play in right and Addison Barger will go into the infield against righties. But I don’t think the club wants to play Springer defensively.

PMLB
  • Don Mattingly: a first World Series appearance for him.

  • What a season for Trey Yesavage.

  • The Mariners are going to have a hard time recovering.

  • He’s back in the World Series. Will he go for a third ring?

  • That’s something.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named MVP of the championship series

The Blue Jays are off to the World Series. The club managed to beat the Mariners tonight.

George Springer (he’s not the only one who stood out tonight, but history will remember him) got the club through, and it was quite a ballgame.

That said, when it came time to name a championship series MVP, there was only one candidate.

To no one’s surprise, it was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who was named the MVP of the American Championship Series. Shohei Ohtani was named MVP of the National Series.

He’s been excellent in the championship series. No: he’s been historically strong.

The main man, however, doesn’t want to lose too much sight of the goal: beating the Dodgers in the World Series. He reiterated that there are still four wins to go.

The first game of the World Series takes place on Friday. The Blue Jays have home-field advantage and the first two games of the World Series will be played in Canada.

It’s going to be quite a series.

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The Blue Jays are off to the World Series

With all the twists and turns that have taken place in the American League Championship Series, it was only fitting that the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners should face off in the final game.

For the occasion, Shane Bieber and George Kirby had the onerous task of propelling their respective teams to the World Series from the mound.

Julio Rodriguez wasted no time in setting the tone for the game, hitting a double on the second pitch of the game before coming around to score on Josh Naylor’s single that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. couldn’t catch. Naylor was then called out for interference on Ernie Clement’s throw to first base.

The Blue Jays set the record straight on the following half-inning, however, courtesy of Daulton Varsho’s timely single with George Springer stationed at second cushion.

After a scoreless second inning, despite a threat from the Mariners, Rodriguez did it again in the third, this time cannoning Shane Bieber’s offering deep to left after hitting himself on the shin with a foul ball in the same presence.

Then, at the start of the fifth inning, Cal Raleigh, commonly known as Gros Cul, sent Louis Varland’s shot over the fence, the reliever having come on in place of Bieber.

But in a Hollywood scenario, George Springer gave his team the lead with a three-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh inning off Bryan Woo’s successor, Eduard Bazardo. Woo had come on in relief of Kirby, a starting pitcher relieved far too early for the umpteenth time in the current playoffs.

The Blue Jays will join the Dodgers in the World Series, with the first duel between the two teams scheduled for Friday night. This will be Toronto’s first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1993.

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Freddy Peralta on the block: the reality of small markets

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re not going to be talking about scares today! And yet, the Milwaukee Brewers experienced quite a scare in the Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. A sweep in four games, with only four measly points on the scoreboard. The offense was completely muzzled by the Dodgers’ excellent pitching, and that’s sadly how Milwaukee is already thinking about its 2026 season.

Speaking of excellent pitchers, the Brewers can also count on an elite talent on the mound in Freddy Peralta. However, exceptional talent also means big money. Until now, Milwaukee had been rubbing its hands in the fact that it had agreed to a modest five-season, $15.5 million contract with its ace in 2020. The club had an option year this season to the tune of $8.1 million, and it also has one for the coming year at $8 million.

That said, having just been eliminated from the playoff picture, the collective with the best regular-season record is reportedly listening to offers for the 29-year-old right-hander.

The reality of small-market clubs

Yes, the Wisconsin outfit could undeniably afford to exercise its option and pay the gunner his $8 million. The problem is that, from 2027 onwards, the club will probably no longer be able to afford to offer him a contract worth $25-30 million per season over several years.

So, potentially, they’d rather trade him and get a good return that will keep them competitive for a few more years, than have him for one year and lose him on the free-agent market. There’s no salary cap or floor in MLB, but the Milwaukee Brewers operate on an internal payroll!

Milwaukee, known for its brewing industry and Harley-Davidson, is also known for being a small market and, unlike, say, the Dodgers, why not, it can’t afford to spend hundreds of millions on its players.

Los Angeles knows this, thinks it’s funny and, to prove it, manager Dave Roberts adds insult to injury by proclaiming loud and clear that his club will continue to ruin baseball. Fascinating stuff!

I have a thought for Brewers fans and fans of small-market clubs, as I’m old enough to have known the Expos. By the way, I’ll be listening carefully to the Netflix documentary on the death of the Expos tomorrow and will get back to you with a review.

Dave Roberts wants four more wins to ‘ruin baseball for real’

Focus on development

Should Peralta change his address, the Brewers could count on prodigy Jacob Misiorowski to take on a bigger role. Like the Cleveland Guardians, another small-market club, they are excellent at developing pitchers. Peralta is a prime example.

In its defense, Milwaukee hasn’t been lucky with the few big contracts it’s been awarded. There was the case of Ryan Braun, who fell into perdition and even became persona non grata of sorts. There was also the case of Christian Yelich, who never performed up to expectations after signing a seven-year, $188.5 million contract in 2020.

In short, if they’re going to trade their No. 1 gunner, in light of the results in the Championship Series, more batting power wouldn’t hurt!

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Blue Jays v. Mariners: nine starting pitchers could throw tonight

Game #7: what sports fan doesn’t like to hear those words?

The Blue Jays will host the Mariners tonight at 8pm. The winner of tonight’s game will face the Dodgers in the World Series. Quite a challenge, you say?

The Blue Jays won two World Series titles in the 1990s, but have never returned to baseball’s biggest stage since. And the Mariners are the only organization never to have reached the Fall Classic.

For the occasion, George Kirby and Shane Bieber will cross swords.

But because both teams are facing elimination and circumstances permit, managers surely won’t be very patient in the event of a slip-up tonight.

Why do I say this? Because seven other starting pitchers are potentially available for this game. Excluding Trey Yesavage and Logan Gilbert, who pitched yesterday.

  • Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, Eric Lauer and Chris Bassitt
  • Mariners: Bryce Miller, Luis Castillo and Bryan Woo

It could be intense, if the game is close.

I don’t think all seven will be used, obviously. But the Mariners and Tigers recently reminded us that there is such a thing as a 15-inning game with six starting pitchers throwing.

The Mariners have experience of such a game, should it ever happen again.

In the case of Bassitt and Woo, they are starters who are used in relief in the playoffs due to injuries. But we know that a starter pitching in relief wouldn’t be around for six innings either.

Managers will be going all out to win tonight, and getting a starter to pitch is a real possibility – especially for the Blue Jays, who have an ordinary, slightly overused bullpen.

Note that the World Series starts on Friday (either in Toronto or Los Angeles) and that a starter who pitches one inning today could still pitch on Friday, if need be. So yes, everything is on the table.

PMLB
  • Read more about Vladdy.

  • He inspires his teammates.

  • Mets owner donates $1 million to New York teachers.

  • Jose Berrios’ season is over.

  • Bo Bichette makes progress.

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MLB in brief: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his Auston Matthews jersey | Devin Williams in Miami?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his Auston Matthews jersey

Here’s how he got to the game today. Did he shoot himself in the foot?

Here are today’s line-ups.

Devin Williams in Miami?

The Marlins are interested.

Does Anthony Volpe deserve another chance?

The debate rages on.

World Series schedule

Starting Friday, in Toronto or L.A.

More threats

Kevin Gausman says it again: he’ll be throwing erasers at people in the stands tonight.

Shelby Miller undergoes surgery

His elbow needed help.

No interview yet for Albert Pujols in Baltimore

It’ll probably come.

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Albert Pujols will not be the Angels’ next manager

As they did over a decade ago when they brought in Albert Pujols as a free agent, the Los Angeles Angels were again showing interest in their former colt, this time with the aim of bringing him in as manager to replace Ron Washington and interim manager Ray Montgomery.

But this time, it’s not going to happen.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, talks between the Angels and Pujols have broken down, with some differences of opinion emerging in recent conversations.

Heyman added that Pujols was the Angels’ first choice initially, mainly because of his history with the team and the fact that he still works as a special assistant for the organization, but the two parties were unable to agree on which coaches to appoint, the resources available and compensation.

Pujols seems likely to become the skipper of another Major League Baseball club for the coming season, in what will be an exciting hire for whichever franchise snags his services.

The 45-year-old is still in the running for two vacant managerial positions, with the San Diego Padres, who have just entered the fray, and the Baltimore Orioles.

Pujols has no MLB managerial experience since retiring after the 2022 campaign. He has remained in the baseball world, however, as he has acted as special assistant to the Angels since 2023, as mentioned above, while working as an analyst at MLB Network.

He also managed the Leones d’Escogido, a team based in his native Dominican Republic, and led them to Winter League and Caribbean Series titles this year. He will also manage the Dominican Republic at next year’s World Baseball Classic.

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A first since 2015: Trey Yesavage continues to shine

The American League Championship Series has not been kind to fans of the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, with a succession of ups and downs on both sides of the spectrum.

And to add insult to injury, with their season on the line, the Blue Jays were pinning all their prospects on their young pitcher Trey Yesavage for game six of the series last night (Sunday).

The 22-year-old has had his work cut out for him since making his Major League Baseball debut just over a month ago. Indeed, the right-hander has had to deal with the pressure of an American League Eastern Section title race, followed by two playoff starts prior to yesterday’s one.

Although game two of the series against Seattle ended in the loss column, Yesavage responded well, including yesterday with his back against the wall.

The latter started the game very strongly yesterday, throwing only nine pitches in the first inning and earning his first strikeout of the game against potential American League MVP Cal Raleigh. After five and two-thirds innings of work, it was time for Yesavage to bow out, having helped the Jays force game number seven with a 6-2 victory.

The win makes Yesavage the youngest pitcher with more than one playoff win since Noah Syndergaard in 2015.

A year ago, he hadn’t pitched in professional baseball and now, if the Jays win tonight (Monday), his next start will be in the World Series.

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Worth seeing: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. uses a broken baton to hit a ball three times in one swing

Prior to the 2025 playoffs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wasn’t exactly known for standing up when it counted, having been caught a few times bird-watching instead of concentrating on the season’s most important games.

But we have to admit that this version of Vladdy is a thing of the past.

In fact, just last night (Sunday), Guerrero Jr. continued his fall dance, as the Toronto Blue Jays forced a Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners.

Guerrero’s sixth-inning home run was his sixth of the playoffs, and he boasts a .462 batting average and 1.532 OPS heading into tonight’s (Monday) final game.

And when things go well, they go well.

The proof? Here’s the slow-motion clip of his single in the eighth inning, proving that when things are going well, everything seems to work out no matter what.

Yes, you saw it right, Vlad Jr. entered the batter’s box in the eighth inning and hit a single with a broken bat on which the ball made contact three times.

As rare as it is, there is a precedent for this feat of arms, and at the same time of year. Hunter Pence of the San Francisco Giants accomplished the feat by clearing the paths in Game Seven of the 2012 National League Championship Series.

It now remains to be seen which trick Guerrero Jr. will pull out of his bag in tonight’s (Monday) final game.

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