By Harshit | October 16, 2025 | 2:45AM
Vladdy Arrives in the ALCS
Just how much impact can one 6-foot, 245-pound slugger have on a playoff series? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. answered that question emphatically in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, reminding baseball fans why he is one of the most feared hitters in the game.
After a quiet start to the series — 0-for-7 at the plate — Guerrero exploded against Mariners ace George Kirby. Nearly drilling a hole through the left field wall with a scorching double, leaping over the center field wall for a key home run, and splitting the gap in right-center for what could have been a triple and a postseason cycle, Guerrero’s performance lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to a commanding 13–4 victory and trimmed Seattle’s series lead to 2–1.
“He’s a postseason monster,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “When Vladdy gets locked in, he changes the game for everyone.”
The Ripple Effect
Guerrero’s influence went beyond his own at-bats. Before the game, he pulled aside light-hitting shortstop Andrés Giménez and confidently told him, “You’re going to go yard today.” Giménez delivered a game-tying, two-run homer in the third inning, setting off a five-run eruption that would define the night.
“You got to trust everyone in that lineup,” Guerrero said postgame. “When you tie the game like that, everything changed in the dugout.”
The Blue Jays’ offense, previously sputtering with only eight hits in the first two games of the series, suddenly looked uncontainable. Guerrero, Giménez, George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, and Addison Barger all contributed to a lineup firing on all cylinders.
Numbers That Speak Volumes
Through Game 3, Guerrero now owns a .464 batting average (13-for-28) in the postseason, with four home runs, 10 RBIs, and just a single strikeout. His ability to perform under pressure is unparalleled, particularly against high-caliber pitchers like Kirby.
The Blue Jays, previously facing a 3–0 deficit in the ALCS, have now regained momentum. The team’s newfound energy in the dugout and at the plate was evident throughout the night, with Guerrero serving as the catalyst for a revival many didn’t see coming.
“Everything changed once the game tied,” Giménez admitted. “I’m okay with what happened. Vladdy’s confidence rubs off on all of us.”
The Power of Leadership
Guerrero’s leadership extends beyond the statistics. His presence in the clubhouse, combined with his performance on the field, inspired even veteran pitchers like Shane Bieber to elevate their game after early struggles. Bieber’s “pick me up” plea following Julio Rodriguez’s home run was answered fivefold, as Toronto’s pitching staff settled in to protect the lead.
This blend of on-field production and off-field guidance is precisely what separates elite players from postseason legends. Guerrero’s influence reaches every corner of the team, giving the Blue Jays hope that a series that once seemed all but lost is now very much alive.
What’s Next for the Series
With the series now 2–1 in favor of Seattle, all eyes turn to Max Scherzer, the veteran ace tasked with facing Guerrero and the Blue Jays in the next game. The matchup promises intrigue, as the 41-year-old Cy Young winner attempts to halt the momentum of a resurgent Toronto team.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will ride the wave of confidence Guerrero has instilled. A lineup now firing on all cylinders, combined with the emotional lift from Game 3, has Toronto fans envisioning a comeback. The team’s depth, balanced by superstar leadership, may prove too much for the Mariners as the ALCS progresses.
As Guerrero succinctly put it, “When everyone believes in each other, you can do extraordinary things.” Game 3 was proof of that philosophy — and a statement that Vladdy has officially arrived in the postseason.
