Prior to the regular season Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was quoted saying “last year was the trailer, this year is the movie”. Last season ended with the Blue Jays narrowly missing the playoffs on the final day of the 2021 campaign with a record of 91-71.
Expectations were high for the Blue Jays in 2022. Led by Guerrero Jr. Toronto has the combination of developing young stars and established veterans most teams dream of. After hitting 48 home runs and finishing runner-up for MVP in 2021 fans expected Guerrero Jr. and the Jays to dominate in 2022.
That wasn’t the case throughout the regular season. There were ups and downs for the Jays and the New York Yankees won the division handily. Ultimately Toronto qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2020 but the confidence fans had in this team in April wasn’t as strong in October.
That said, anything can happen come playoff time. The Jays finished first in the wild card standings, meaning they would host a three-game series at Rogers Center. The team was happy to qualify for the post-season but not satisfied. The real work begins in October.
Facing the Seattle Mariners, the Jays knew they had a tough challenge ahead. Game one was dominated by Seattle. Before Toronto even got up to bat, the Mariners led 3-0. Luis Castillo was unhittable all night and the Jays failed to score a single run. They lost 4-0.
Everyone was disappointed but there were still two games left. In the second game the Jays started hot and eventually led 8-1. Okay, one more win tomorrow and we’re on to the divisional round seemed to be the thought in all the fans’ minds. Then disaster struck.
Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman was removed from the game with the bases loaded. One batter later Seattle put four runs on the board and it’s 8-5. The stadium went silent and you could feel the momentum shifting.
Hit after hit Seattle kept coming and eventually tied the game 9-9. It may have been tied but it was over. You could feel it. After trailing by seven runs there was no way Seattle was losing this game. Adam Frazier hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth and the Mariners took their first lead of the night.
The Jays got a runner on in the bottom half but couldn’t muster a hit to tie the game. The movie was over, and it was a tearjerker. Just one day after the playoffs started the Blue Jays were eliminated.
When Vladdy said “this season is the movie” I doubt this was the ending he anticipated. Let’s just hope he’s ready for the sequel.
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