Guerrero Powers Blue Jays Past Yankees 5–2 to ALCS/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Toronto Blue Jays stunned the Yankees in Game 4, advancing to their first ALCS since 2016. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the charge with strong offense and leadership. Now, Toronto awaits Detroit or Seattle with a rested rotation and renewed confidence.
Blue Jays ALCS Bound Quick Looks
- Toronto defeats New York Yankees 5–2 to win ALDS 3–1
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batted .529 with 3 HRs, 9 RBIs in the series
- George Springer and Guerrero each drove in key runs in Game 4
- Blue Jays make first ALCS appearance since 2016
- Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage ready for ALCS Game 1 & 2
- Blue Jays went 4-3 vs Detroit, 4-2 vs Seattle this season
- ALCS Game 1 is Sunday in Toronto
- Toronto overcame last-place finish in 2024 to win AL East
Deep Look: Blue Jays Punch Ticket to ALCS After Eliminating Yankees
NEW YORK — Dismissing preseason skeptics and rewriting their underdog narrative, the Toronto Blue Jays secured their spot in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) with a commanding 5-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.
Led by a red-hot Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and an unrelenting bullpen effort from eight pitchers, Toronto closed out the AL Division Series 3-1, silencing the Bronx crowd and booking their first trip to the ALCS in nearly a decade.
“We’ve believed in this group from the beginning,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
“Pitching, defense, and clutch hitting—it all came together. These guys earned it, and I’m glad the baseball world is starting to see that.”
Guerrero, who delivered a monster ALDS performance, capped off the series batting .529 with three home runs and nine RBIs. His offensive dominance drew comparisons to October legends like David Ortiz and Ken Griffey Jr. He also emphasized the team’s pride and unity, reminding fans that the Blue Jays are more than just a team—they represent a nation.
“Maybe some doubted us, but we have a whole country behind us,” Guerrero said through a translator. “We’re chasing the dream of bringing the World Series back to Canada.”
In Game 4, Guerrero and George Springer each contributed RBIs, while the Blue Jays’ pitching staff combined to keep Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton at bay. Despite the Yankees’ power-packed lineup, Toronto’s bullpen maintained control throughout, shutting down key rallies and preserving the lead.
For a team that finished last in the AL East just a year ago with a 74-88 record, the turnaround has been extraordinary. The Blue Jays tied with the Yankees at 94-68 in the regular season but secured the division title via a head-to-head tiebreaker after going 11-6 against New York.
Davis Schneider, a key contributor in the outfield and infield, echoed the team’s self-belief:
“People doubted us all year. The Yankees were favorites, but we’ve been proving ourselves since day one.”
Looking ahead, Toronto will face either the AL West champion Seattle Mariners or the wild-card Detroit Tigers in the best-of-seven ALCS, starting Sunday at home. Those two teams are set to decide their own series Friday night in Seattle.
Crucially, the Blue Jays will enter the next round with a well-rested rotation. Veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman and rookie sensation Trey Yesavage—Toronto’s Game 1 and 2 starters in the ALDS—will be fully ready for the next series. Meanwhile, Detroit and Seattle are expected to burn their top arms in Game 5, potentially giving Toronto a strategic edge.
Reliever Louis Varland highlighted the team’s chemistry and resilience: “Everyone plays for each other here. That’s what makes this team special.”
Beyond Guerrero, several players stepped up during the series. Ernie Clement provided clutch hits, while Springer delivered key postseason experience and offense. The lineup’s ability to foul off tough pitches and make contact in pressure situations was evident across all four games.
This marks the Blue Jays’ eighth appearance in the ALCS. Their last pennants came in 1992 and 1993, when they won back-to-back World Series championships—still the only Canadian titles in MLB history.
Now, with confidence soaring and the roster firing on all cylinders, Toronto looks poised for another deep postseason run.
As Springer put it, “It’s amazing what a year can do. From last to first, we’ve responded in the best possible way.”
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