Vladimir Guerrero Jr. takes home ALCS MVP as Blue Jays capture AL pennant

Was there ever a doubt?

As the Toronto Blue Jays head into their first World Series since 1993, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is riding a wave that even the big, bad LA Dodgers with their star-studded and well-rested rotation might not be able to halt. With one of, if not the the greatest postseason performances in Blue Jays history, Guerrero Jr. has been deservingly named the American League Championship Series MVP.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. takes home ALCS MVP as Blue Jays capture AL pennant

Since Vladdy signed with the Blue Jays in 2016, a run like this for him was always promised to fans and finally, after a decade, he has officially arrived. Despite George Springer stealing a bit of Vladdy's heroic thunder in Game 6, courtesy of a three run blast to take the lead in the seventh that may have overtaken Bautista's legendary bat flip moment from 2016, Vladdy was far and away the best performer in this series.

In the postseason overall? The 26-year-old hasn't stopped showing up when the lights are the brightest, silencing the crowd who advocates that he's 'not clutch'. At the end of the day, Springer could've launched three home runs on Monday night, but Guerrero is still the franchise man, he was "born ready" after all.

The franchise man delivers on a decade of belief and promise

The 500 million dollar man (who looks like he's worth every penny, then some) hit six home runs during their magical run to the first World Series the city of Toronto has seen in over three decades. Along the way, Vladdy broke Jose Bautista and Joe Carter's franchise record for most postseason home runs by a Blue Jay.

Throughout the postseason thus far, he's slashed for a .442 average with a 1.440 OPS running up his wrC+ to 280 (180% above league average), numbers that are even hard to achieve while laid back in your recliner playing MLB The Show.

Narrowing down to just the ALCS, he hit .385 with three home runs and a 1.330 OPS, striking out just two times against a Mariners pitching staff who was considered to be the best in the league. Vladdy was in complete control of his decisions, start to finish, and once he saw what he wanted, he was crushing the ball at an insane clip.

Throughout the ALCS, he generated exit velocities of 109+ mph, six different times while topping out at 116 mph, which is absurd to even try to wrap your head around.

Not only did his bat lead the way to his ALCS MVP, but so did his elite play on the defensive side of the ball, too. His defence at first base has been as advertised, as he's turned more clutch 3-6-1 double plays than fans can count, grabbing the attention of Kansas City Royals first baseman, Vinnie Pasquantino.

What makes his run so magical, is how much this truly means to him as a person. His emotional connection to the city of Toronto and its fans is clear, it oozes out from the television. “We need you guys. Thank you for bringing the energy. We do this for you guys,” Guerrero said while being awarded the ALCS MVP trophy.

The Blue Jays frankly steamrolled the Yankees in four games to secure the ALDS, but the Mariners posed a much greater challenge in the Championship Series. Next up is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have been described as a super team, a juggernaut, or unfair. Vladdy has handled every challenge gracefully thus far, but the Dodgers in the World Series pose a new type of threat.