Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a torrid streak in O’s series

Aug 2, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) follows through on an RBI single against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks to extend his hitting streak to 17 games Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

Guerrero’s hitting prowess hasn’t been enough to carry the revamped Blue Jays. They completed a 2-5 road trip with a 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Guerrero was 1 for 5 Sunday with a double. He is batting .500 (32 for 64) during the streak that began July 14. He has nine homers, 10 doubles and 18 RBIs in that span, but the team is 8-9.

“He’s at that point where he understands who he is,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “I think he’s the last piece of a great player becoming a great player.”

Baltimore won three of four against Toronto last week before splitting a four-game series with the Cleveland Guardians to begin a 10-game road trip.

Guerrero has had to shoulder even more of Toronto’s offensive load with the departure of Justin Turner at the trade deadline in one of several deals the team has made.

He is batting .316 with 22 home runs and 72 RBIs on the season.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about confidence,” Guerrero said. “Of course, you have to believe in your talent, but if I feel like I have my confidence, I’m 100 percent, I know I’ll be fine.”

“He has goals that he sets every year, obviously, for the team and for himself,” Schneider said. “And I think if he just goes out there and does what he’s doing over the last month, he’ll probably hit them individually, even if it’s not what the team wanted to do.”

Toronto is scheduled to start right-hander Chris Bassitt (8-10, 4.02 ERA) on Tuesday. He is 3-3 with a 5.45 ERA in seven career starts against the Orioles. But he was shelled for five runs and nine hits in four innings in last Tuesday’s start in Baltimore, a 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Baltimore is scheduled to start right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (13-4, 3.86). He earned the win Wednesday against Toronto when he allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits in six innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in five career starts against Toronto, with both wins coming this season.

Baltimore salvaged a split with Cleveland by winning 9-5 on Sunday. Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday homered for the Orioles, who remain tied for the AL East lead with the Yankees.

Holliday went 2 for 4 on Sunday to continue his surge since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk last week. The homer was the second of his career. The first was a grand slam Wednesday against Toronto.

In April, Holliday, 20, went 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts in 10 games before being demoted. Since his return, he is 7-for-18 (.389) with two homers and seven RBIs in five games.

“I think definitely just having my feet under me (helps),” Holliday said. “Being able to come to the ballpark and have a normal schedule. And just being able to go out there and play, have fun and put everything else aside.”

“Showing a lot more confidence,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “The way he can stay in the game has gotten a lot better. He’s going to have some ups and downs. He’s a very, very young player. But it’s great to see him swing the bat like this in this series.”

–Field level media