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.

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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)

COTONOU, Benin (AP) — A group of soldiers has appeared on Benin ’s state TV announcing the dissolution of the government in an apparent coup, the latest of many in West Africa.

The group, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, on Sunday announced the removal of the president and all state institutions.

Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri has been appointed president of the military committee, the soldiers said.

President Patrice Talon had been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after the presidential election.

Talon’s party pick, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was the favorite to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have sufficient sponsors.

Last month, the country’s legislature extended the presidential term of office from five to seven years, keeping the term limit at two.

The coup is the latest in a string of military takeovers that have rocked West Africa. Last week, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau removed former President Umaro Embalo after a contested election in which both he and the opposition candidate declared themselves winners.

FILE - Benin's President Patrice Talon attends a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on May 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File)