Guerrero and Blue Jays set up nicely for ALCS after putting away Yankees in Game 4

NEW YORK (AP) — Forget the preseason prognostications. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the worst-to-first Toronto Blue Jays believe they're as good as anybody.

Hard to argue after the way they dispatched Aaron Judge and the powerful New York Yankees in their AL Division Series.

And now, manager John Schneider's pesky Blue Jays bunch is set up pretty nicely for the next playoff round against Detroit or Seattle.

“This is a really special group and we’ve had the confidence to be here since day one. I like our chances and I like the fact that these guys will be recognized for it,” Schneider said.

“I think we more than showed what we can do in this series between all that pitching, defense, everything. The guys in here know what we’re capable of and we don’t really care what anyone else thinks.”

Guerrero and George Springer each drove in a run, and eight Toronto pitchers shut down the Yankees in a 5-2 victory on Wednesday night that sent the surprising Blue Jays to the American League Championship Series for the first time in nine years.

“Maybe some people don’t believe in the team through the year, but I always remind everyone that we have an entire country behind us that believe in us, and hopefully we can get the World Series back to Canada,” Guerrero said through a translator.

AL East champion Toronto, wearing its lucky caps with the white panels, took the best-of-five Division Series 3-1 and will host Game 1 in the best-of-seven ALCS on Sunday against the wild-card Tigers or AL West champion Mariners.

Those teams are set to decide their series Friday in Game 5 at Seattle.

“We knew we were kind of the best team all year,” part-time outfielder and second baseman Davis Schneider said. “Obviously, a lot of people doubted us. Everyone was kind of picking the Yankees to win the series or even the World Series. We’re a great team for a reason. Over the 162 (regular-season games) and into the playoffs, we showed what we can do really well.”

Toronto went 4-3 against Detroit this season and 4-2 versus Seattle.

And while the Tigers and Mariners will use some of their best arms Friday, veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman and rookie Trey Yesavage — the Blue Jays’ top two starters in the ALDS — will be fully rested for the first two games of the ALCS.

“I think with this team, it’s so special that everybody has each other’s back and plays for each other,” reliever Louis Varland said.

No matter who pitches against Toronto, they'll need to contend with Guerrero and a feisty lineup that consistently fights off tough pitches and puts the ball in play.

Guerrero batted .529 with three homers and nine RBIs in the ALDS, tormenting the Yankees in October in the mold of David Ortiz, Ken Griffey Jr. and George Brett decades ago.

“They hit the crap out of the ball. They didn’t miss,” Yankees catcher Austin Wells said.

Ernie Clement also had an outstanding series at the plate as the Blue Jays advanced to their eighth ALCS. Toronto’s only pennants came in 1992 and ’93, when the club won consecutive World Series crowns.

A season ago, the Blue Jays finished last in the AL East at 74-88, which was 20 games behind the first-place Yankees, who reached the World Series.

This year, the Blue Jays went 11-6 against New York — including 8-1 in Toronto. The teams tied for the AL East title at 94-68, but the Blue Jays won the division on a head-to-head tiebreaker.

“It just shows you a lot can happen in a year," Springer said. "For us to respond the way we did this year, I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”

AP freelance reporter Larry Fleisher contributed to this report.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dives into home plate to score against the New York Yankees during the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. connects for a single to drive in a run against the New York Yankees during the first inning of Game 4 of baseball's American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Toronto Blue Jays gather for a group photo on the field after beating the New York Yankees in Game 4 of baseball's American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates with teammates after beating the New York Yankees in Game 4 of baseball's American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates after the Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees in Game 4 of baseball's American League Division Series, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker, Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette and Philadelphia designated hitter Kyle Schwarber were among 13 players who received $22,025,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Thursday as baseball's free agent market opened for negotiations with all clubs.

San Diego right-handers Dylan Cease and Michael King also received the offers, as did New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen, New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, Philadelphia pitcher Ranger Suárez, Detroit second baseman Gleyber Torres, Houston left-hander Framber Valdez and Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff.

Players have until Nov. 18 to accept.

Among the free agents who didn't receive qualifying offers were Boston right-hander Lucas Giolito, Seattle infielder Jorge Polanco and Yankees reliever Devin Williams.

If a team makes a qualifying offer to a player who signs a major league contract with another club before next July's amateur draft, his former club receives draft pick compensation at the end of the first round or at the end of competitive balance round B. The placement depends on the amount of the new contract and the revenue-sharing and luxury tax status of the team losing the player.

Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 14 of 144 offers have been accepted.

A free agent can be given a qualifying offer only if he has been with the same team continuously since opening day and has never received a qualifying offer before.

Free agents ineligible for qualifying offers included New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, Boston third baseman Alex Bregman, Cincinnati pitcher Nick Martinez and Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto.

A total of 175 players became free agents in the five days following the World Series.

Among decisions Thursday:

— Atlanta exercised an $18 million option on left-hander Chris Sale and a $7 million option on second baseman Ozzie Albies while declining options on pitchers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley;

—The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers exercised a $10 million option on third baseman Max Muncy and a $3.55 million option on reliever Alex Vesia;

— Polanco declined a $6 million player option;

— Infielder Justin Turner became a free agent after the Cubs declined a $10 million mutual option, and Chicago agreed to a $6.5 million, one-year contract to retain right-hander Colin Rea;

—Pitchers Paul Sewald and José Urquidy became free agents after the Detroit Tigers declined options;

— Shortstop Trevor Story declined to exercise his right to opt out of his contract, keeping $55 million in salary for the final two seasons of his $140 million, six-year deal with Boston;

— Left-hander John Means’ $6 million option was declined by Cleveland, allowing the pitcher to become a free agent as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery;

— Tampa Bay declined an $11 million option on Pete Fairbanks, allowing the closer to become a free agent, and exercised an $11.5 million option on infielder Brandon Lowe.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette swings for a three run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani during the third inning in Game 7 of baseball's World Series, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)