Vladimir Guerrero Jr. acknowledged he does not deserve an all-star selection based on the first wave of fan voting for baseball's midsummer classic. His statistics clearly reflect his lack of merit for inclusion.
Starters for the all-star game are determined by fan voting, making it a popularity contest. Guerrero Jr. is among the most recognizable players in terms of popularity and profile. The first phase of voting, released by MLB earlier this week, had Guerrero Jr. leading at first base with 603,014 votes, ahead of New York's Ben Rice, who is far more deserving.
More at-bats like Guerrero's first plate appearance in Thursday's series finale at Fenway Park would eliminate any doubts about his candidacy. He needed only one pitch—a down-and-in slider from Red Sox starter Sonny Gray—to send the ball over the Green Monster in left-center field. The home run traveled 410 feet, although the wind was blowing out to left field.
Regardless, it was the swing Guerrero put on the ball and his assertive approach that stood out. The unique sound he creates when his bat meets the ball is unmistakable. His previous home run came in Detroit on May 17. When Guerrero donned the club's home run jacket, a TV microphone picked up manager John Schneider's quip: "It still fits."
However, there was nothing to laugh about when the Red Sox hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning to tie the game after the Jays led 3-0. Wind played a factor on a dropped pop-up in the ninth with Brandon Valenzuela at the plate. Although Valenzuela got a second chance on a foul ball that would normally have been caught, he drove in the winning run with a double off the Green Monster, giving the Jays a 4-3 victory.
Three Takeaways from the Series Sweep
Trey Yesavage's Strong Outing
In arguably his best performance of the season, Trey Yesavage went through Boston's order with stunning efficiency in the first three innings, retiring nine batters in a row. Yesavage, who had struggled recently with home runs and walks, allowed the Red Sox's first hit on a leadoff single in the fourth. He pitched well for most of the game but gave up two home runs and a sharply hit single before being pulled with one out in the eighth. He deserved better than a no-decision, but fairness is not always part of the game. His performance is something to build on.
Sonny Gray as a Trade Deadline Target
Gray, a pending free agent, would look good on a contending team. His name will likely be mentioned prominently leading up to the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline. He gave up one run in the first and second innings before shutting down the Jays. In the sixth, Jesus Sanchez hit a leadoff single but was thrown out due to poor baserunning. One day after stealing five bases, the Jays attempted to add to their total but Clement was picked off at second base to end the sixth. In the seventh, Nathan Lukes hit a home run off Gray to give the Jays a 3-0 lead.
Bullpen Excellence
The Blue Jays' bullpen has been underrated but appreciated by those close to the team. Seven pitchers were used Wednesday on a bullpen day. Knowing the bullpen was thin and Yesavage was dealing, Toronto took a calculated risk by letting him pitch deep into the game. Tommy Nance was summoned with one out in the eighth, and Mason Fluharty closed the ninth. Nance earned the win, and Fluharty recorded his second career save. The way Nance and Fluharty pitched, along with rookie Brandon Valenzuela's perseverance against hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman, has the Jays flying high.
From Boston to Chicago, the Jays' six-game road trip continues with a three-game series in the Windy City. Friday's series opener features Kevin Gausman on the mound, one start after he threw a one-hit gem against the Yankees—though the pitch left the yard. He went seven innings and is two strikeouts shy of 2,000 for his career.
