Vladimir Guerrero Jr. must lead Blue Jays' second-half surge

The Toronto Blue Jays' playoff hopes hinge on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s performance in the second half. With the team sitting below .500 and last in the AL East, Guerrero's bat must heat up after a sluggish first half.

Can Guerrero Jr. turn it around?

Guerrero's .252 average and .703 OPS mark career lows. Yet his second-half track record offers hope: a .901 OPS after the 2025 All-Star break and a 1.127 mark in 2024's final stretch. The Jays' 66% win rate when he homers underscores his importance.

What's at stake for Toronto?

Toronto trails the final AL wild-card spot by just 2.5 games. With 13 games before the July 29 trade deadline, an 8-5 stretch could shift them to buyers. The rotation's struggles-Shane Bieber's 4.66 ERA and Max Scherzer's 10.23 mark-add pressure on Guerrero's offense.

What's next for Guerrero?

After skipping the All-Star Game to rest, Guerrero returns to a team needing 40 wins in 66 games to reach 85 victories. His ability to replicate past second-half surges will determine whether Toronto contends or becomes a seller.