Vladimir Guerrero Jr., franchise player, showed up in Game 1 of the American League Division Series to help bring Canada its first playoff victory since 2016.
Guerrero launched the Toronto Blue Jays' postseason journey with a first-inning homer and tacked on a sacrifice fly as the Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 10-1 to get a leg up in this best-of-five ALDS.
The Blue Jays also got two home runs from catcher Alejandro Kirk to win their playoff opener after getting swept out of the wild card series in two games in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
Starter Kevin Gausman was good enough, especially in the biggest moments, bringing a shutout into the sixth inning before walking in a run. Yet he struck out Aaron Judge with the bases loaded, and reliever Louis Varland prevented further damage to maintain a 2-1 Blue Jays lead.
They blew it open in the seventh with a four-run rally off Yankee reliever Luke Weaver – who has failed to retire all six batters he's faced this postseason. Kirk added his second homer in the eighth.
