The Toronto Blue Jays are coming into the stretch run with the AL East lead—however supervisor John Schneider needs extra from his franchise cornerstone. As Toronto equipped for the sequence finale in opposition to the New York Yankees, Schneider issued a daring but measured message to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the workforce’s All-Star slugger.
MLB’s Keegan Matheson took to X (previously Twitter) to share Schneider’s pregame message with followers.
“We don’t want Vlad to be Superman, however we want him to be him. By energy requirements, most likely everyone seems to be searching for slightly bit extra. When that occurs, that simply provides a special dynamic to our workforce that’s already actually good.”
The Blue Jays enter the matchup with a 59-42 document, holding a three-game lead within the AL East standings over the 56-45 Yankees. With the rubber match at Rogers Centre Wednesday underway, the workforce’s focus isn’t simply sustaining that lead—however pushing for consistency from Guerrero because the postseason chase heats up.
To this point in 2025, Guerrero Jr. is hitting .283 with 13 house runs and 48 RBIs via 99 video games. His superior metrics—together with a 92.8 mph common exit velocity and 12.9% barrel price—point out elite contact. But, his precise manufacturing hasn’t matched. His .832 OPS ranks thirty second in MLB, however his energy stats path expectations after signing a $500 million extension in April.
The membership has been one of many hottest groups in baseball this July, posting a 13-4 document. Nonetheless, Schneider’s feedback replicate a rising sense of urgency. Whereas Toronto’s offense stays deep—with Bo Bichette, George Springer and others stepping up—Guerrero’s capacity to shift momentum with a single swing continues to be a key issue of their postseason aspirations.
His dip in energy, with only one house run over his final 15 video games, has not gone unnoticed. Throughout Tuesday night time’s Recreation 2 loss to New York, Guerrero went 0-for-4 at Rogers Centre. Schneider’s pregame quote served as a refined problem wrapped in help, encouraging Guerrero to return to the shape that made him an MVP runner-up in 2021.
With the rubber match in opposition to the Yankees underway and the Blue Jays trailing 1-0 early, Schneider’s message comes at a vital second. The workforce is in a robust place, however staying there might rely upon Vlad rediscovering his energy.