Since the sun set on those 2015 and ‘16 teams, which brought baseball back to life in Canada with their ALCS runs, Blue Jays fans have been waiting on the two chosen ones. They’ve represented hope, they’ve represented disappointment and they’ve represented greatness, depending on the day.
No narratives can change the Blue Jays’ postseason record since 2016, though. They’re 0-6, a string of three quick, painful exits in the Wild Card Series. This incredible duo, inseparable for nearly a decade, might be down to its last chance with Bichette entering free agency. But first, Bichette needs to get back. He’s still facing an uphill climb to return from his left knee sprain in time for the ALDS against either the Yankees or Red Sox, beginning Oct. 4.
“We miss him and he knows we miss him,” Guerrero said prior to Wednesday’s intrasquad game. “That is God’s plan. Whatever God has for us, we’ve got to take. I hope we can win this series and he comes back for the next one.”
That final thought from Guerrero is revealing. At this point, it feels closest to reality. The ALCS would begin on Oct. 12, also in Toronto if the Blue Jays advance, buying Bichette another week-plus to return.
So far, Bichette is still improving, still hitting and still throwing, but it’s difficult to put much stock into any update or timeline until we hear the magic words: “Bo Bichette has started running.”
“I’ll never put anything past Bo, in terms of people saying he can’t do something and him proving them wrong,” said manager John Schneider, who’s been along for nearly this entire ride with Guerrero and Bichette. “This is a big couple of days for him, obviously. If he’s ready, we’ll obviously welcome him back with open arms. If he’s not, that’s another thing you want to play for: to keep going to get him back in the next round.”
Schneider’s framing here is excellent. If Bichette won’t be back, keep the train rolling until he can come aboard.
Bichette deserves this moment, or at least a shot at it, and if anyone can will that to happen, it’s his pal Vladdy.
Guerrero’s stretch run in September was unimpressive, but he’s a few big swings away from us forgetting all about that. Without looking it up, can you remember any of Joe Carter’s regular-season stats from before the 1993 World Series? None of it matters the moment you come up big in the postseason. Those moments last forever.
Ross Atkins, while acknowledging the past few weeks haven’t been ideal for Guerrero, stood behind his $500 million man.
“He’s been one of the best players in the game and will continue to be,” Atkins said. “He’s going to be a force for us in the playoffs.”
Schneider knows Guerrero can be that player, too. He’s managed him back to the lower levels of the Minor Leagues. He’s seen it all before, just not on this big a stage.
“He really understands and appreciates where he is with this organization right now. Not just in terms of his contract, but his importance to this organization and how hard he’s worked to get here,” Schneider said. “Guys have a certain way of either stepping up or looking around and getting caught in it. Vlad has been through enough ups and downs in the postseason to be ready to step up.”
There was a sense of calm to Guerrero when he spoke to reporters Wednesday. Not that there was ever any doubt, but he knows this is his organization now.
He also understands the urgency at play. When asked what he’s learned from the Blue Jays’ previous trips to the postseason, he got straight to the point.
“Losses. That’s what I can say. Losses,” Guerrero said. “I hope that this year is going to be better. This year, we’re trying to win it all.”
The Blue Jays are done selling hope to their fans now. This is the time to win, the time to wipe away all of those October duds with a return to the World Series for the first time since 1993. Bichette needs to be part of that story, even if it doesn’t begin Saturday with Game 1 of the ALDS.
It’s always been about Vladdy and Bo. One more time, at least together, it comes again.
