Just one week ago, the Toronto Blue Jays looked unstoppable. They conquered the New York Yankees in the Division Series, where their powerful offense was firing on all cylinders, and entered the ALCS with a division title, home-field advantage, and clear favourite. But in baseball, momentum can vanish, and now, after two home losses to the Seattle Mariners, the Blue Jays are in a deep 2-0 hole.

After a leadoff home run by George Springer in Game 1, the offense managed just one other hit in a 3-1 loss. But they were confident for their Game 2 as they slated Trey Yesavage as their starter. The 22-year-old rookie had a historic postseason debut against the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS, where he dismantled them, pitching a 5.1 no-hitter and striking out a franchise-record 11 batters. 

But Yesavage looked completely lost against the Mariners, giving up a three-run homer to Julio Rodríguez just three batters into the game, and ended the night allowing 5 ER in just 4 hits and 4 innings of pitching. Despite that, when the rookie pitcher was asked what he’s seen from his team that suggests they can come back. Yesavage first acknowledged the veteran presence in the clubhouse and then delivered a powerful warning to Cal Raleigh and Co.

“All these guys have played a lot of baseball in this clubhouse,” Yesavage said. “They’ve lost, they’ve won at a high level… but I wouldn’t count this group out. This group’s special.”

So, what makes this Blue Jays group so special?

It’s the potential that they showed just last week that denied all possibilities. This is the team that won the AL East on the final day of the season and led the American League in batting average and on-base percentage. Their ALDS victory over the Yankees was a perfect example of what they can do when they clicked. Players like Daulton Varsho smashed two home runs, and utility man Ernie Clement was batting .643/.625/.929 with a home run and five RBIs in four games in that series.

The rest of the lineup was doing almost the same, if not better.

But the key to unlocking this team’s potential is one man: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. When Vladdy goes, the team goes. Against the Yankees, he was a one-man army with three home runs and nine RBIs in just four games. But in the first two games against Seattle, he is 0-for-7.  So does his team. The same lineup that hit the Yankees for 34 runs has scored just four runs against Seattle.

For Yesavage’s words to become prophecy, the first step is Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s to be back in form.

What’s next for the Jays

The series now shifts to Seattle’s T-Mobile Park for a pivotal Game 3 on Wednesday. To save their season, the Blue Jays will hand the ball to their veteran ace, 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. And the Mariners will counter with right-hander George Kirby.

Both teams made significant roster changes before this series. The Blue Jays suffered a huge blow, leaving All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette off the roster due to a knee injury. However, they did get their pitching staff veterans, Max Scherzer, who can start Game 4, and Chris Bassitt, who will most likely be used as a bullpen option, pitching scoreless 1.2 innings in the heartbreaking Game 2 loss. And the Mariners, at the same time, activated their own ace, Bryan Woo, who missed the last series due to injury. 

Plus, the Mariners are firing on all cylinders. Second baseman Jorge Polanco has game-changing hits in the last three straight playoff games. And first baseman Josh Naylor had three hits and a homer in Game 2. And the Mariners’ bullpen remains untouched, throwing 18 consecutive scoreless innings from the ALDS.

For the Blue Jays, the story is the opposite. After Game 2, Blue Jays Manager John Schneider said, “Slug hasn’t been there for us, has been there for them.” Now, they must find that slug in a stadium where the Mariners had a 51-30 record this season. Mariners manager Dan Wilson is ready for the home game. That’s why he said, “We’re super excited to get back home. We know what that atmosphere is going to be like.”