Cal Raleigh’s three-homer outburst is exactly the kind of spark Blue Jays need out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Cal Raleigh's entire season hasn't turned around thanks to a couple of swings against the Philadelphia Phillies, but he did show everyone why he's still considered a star player. Raleigh went deep not once, not twice, but three times against the Phillies on Monday night, powering the Mariners to a 9-2 win (Aug. 24). He began the night with 14 home runs, way short of his 60 homer outburst from a year ago.

While nobody expected him to hit 60 again, surely a return to his career average of around 30 home runs per season, would have been perfectly adequate. But to not even be at 20 yet is certainly a shock. Add to that the fact he's hitting .167 with an OPS of .618, and its fair to say he has struggled in 2026.

The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans know all to well about a superstar struggling during his prime. 27-year-old first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would probably love to have some of the numbers that Raleigh does right now. Certainly, 17 home runs would've been nice, but Guerrero Jr. has hit just seven all year, and none at Rogers Centre to date (Aug. 25).

But there are bigger things at play than just personal numbers and a three homer night from Raliegh is exactly the kind of night the Blue Jays are still waiting for from Vladdy this season.

Guerrero wont' erase months of frustration with one game, but if he could have one monster performance during this upcoming home stand, it would go a long way to easing every concern about his 2026 dip in production.

Cal Raleigh’s night was a reminder that one game can still change the mood, and Vladimir Guerrero needs that night more than anyone

The most important part of Raleigh’s outburst was the timing. Seattle entered the night still trying to stay alive in the American League playoff picture, and Raleigh had been one of the symbols of the Mariners’ underwhelming season after his historic 2025 campaign.

Guerrero’s season has carried similar feelings of the fans feeling let down. The numbers are nowhere near where a guy making $30+ million-dollars per season should be. With a .262 average and .688 OPS, Guerrero is having a season that would be sufficient if he was, say, a shortstop who is known more for his glove than his bat. But the fact of the matter is, Guerrero is getting out hit by Andrés Giménez over the last month.

Giménez has posted a .298/.348/.381 slash line with a 107 wRC+ while Guerrero, a middle of the order bat, has slashed .264/.293/.347 with a wRC+ of 80. When Guerrero is not driving the ball with authority, Toronto’s offense feels different. When he is rolling over pitches or settling for soft contact, the Blue Jays feel like a much easier team to navigate for the opposing pitcher.

The Blue Jays have already spent too much of the season waiting for Guerrero to become the version of himself who can change ball games with one swing of the bat. But Raleigh’s outburst is a reminder that even when a year feels like it isn't going the way it's expected to, a superstar can come out of nowhere and have a monster night. One big game can change how the final month feels going forward.

Toronto does not need Guerrero to carry the offense by himself, but it does need him to be feared again. The Blue Jays need that if they are going to make any kind of serious late-season push.

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