Guerrero Jr. ties this Blue Jays legend’s postseason record

Not only has Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s postseason explosion helped the Toronto Blue Jays capture their biggest wins since 2016, but it’s also tied José Bautista’s record for the most home runs in a single postseason in team history while doing it.

When Vladdy is going, it seems like the whole team is going, and Game 3 was an epitome of that fact. His most recent slugfest came Wednesday night during a game which felt as close to a must-win as it ever gets.

Guerrero Jr. ties this Blue Jays legend’s postseason record

The “Vladdy doesn’t perform well under the bright lights” crowd was silent, as he went 4-for-4 with an RBI and of course, a solo blast which travelled 406 feet to dead center with an exit velocity touching 106.4 mph.

Not only did his home run come from an exit velocity well over 100 mph, but his three other hits in the evening were all hit over 102 mph. His ability to hit the ball with so much force has also allowed him to lead the postseason in hard hit balls with 17.

During Toronto’s first road ALCS win since 1993, he joined some elite company, as Bautista is the only other Blue Jay to hit four home runs in one postseason in Blue Jays history. Considering the series now stands at 2-1 in favour of Seattle, Guerrero has a real chance at breaking the record.

Back in 2015 (the year Bautista hit four home runs including the bat flip), he was on a tear, but Vladdy has looked even better. In the 2015 postseason Bautista slashed .293/.408/.659 with a 1.067 OPS. The difference? Guerrero has done it with much more pressure on his shoulders, especially considering the contract he just signed.

After a regular season flooded with questions about his consistency, he’s found his rhythm at exactly the right time. Yes, Vladdy has crushed four homers this postseason, but his overall numbers excluding the home runs look like something straight out of a video game as well. He’s slashed for a .464 average with an .515 OBP and a ridiculous 1.479 OPS, far and away the best player that this year’s postseason has had to offer.

From Vladdy’s massive grand slam in Game 2 of the ALDS last Sunday to his history-tying insurance bomb in Game 3 of the ALCS, he’s looked every bit worth that $500 million contract thus far, since he's being paid to be big, in the biggest moments.