AL East Player Injured Ahead of Red Sox Series Showdown

The Toronto Blue Jays are about to kick off a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox starting Friday. They might have to do it without a key bat, though—Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took a fastball off his right forearm during Wednesday’s 6-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

Guerrero got hit by a Tanner Bibee fastball in the third inning and had to leave the game early. The Blue Jays later said he suffered a contusion, but X-rays showed no fractures, which is a relief.

The injury looked rough in the moment, but Guerrero’s status for the Boston series is still up in the air. Fans are waiting for an update, hoping he’ll be ready to go.

Even in what some call a “down year,” Guerrero has been a big part of Toronto’s push in 2023. He’s slashing .281/.387/.449—definitely not his monster .323/.396/.544 from last year, but still solid.

He actually leads all AL first basemen in WAR (2.1). And lately, he’s been flashing that power again.

Signs of a Revival: Guerrero Heating Up

Guerrero isn’t quite at his peak, but he’s heating up. Right before the injury, he homered in Wednesday’s loss to Cleveland and had three bombs in his last nine games.

There have been some clutch doubles too, with multi-hit nights stacking up. When he faces the Red Sox, he seems to find another gear—he crushed a game-winning three-run homer off Boston back on May 1.

If Guerrero’s healthy enough to play this weekend, he’ll be a huge factor. Toronto needs his bat with the postseason on the line.

What’s at Stake for the Blue Jays?

This series matters—a lot. The Jays are in the thick of the wild-card chase, with the Yankees and Rays still within reach in the AL East.

Every divisional game feels huge right now. Beating up on the slumping Red Sox could give Toronto some breathing room from teams chasing them for the wild card, and maybe even help them catch the division leaders.

Guerrero’s absence would hurt, no question. But Toronto’s found ways to win even when things get tough.

Berrios vs. Bello: A Battle of the Mounds

Friday’s opener brings a fun pitching matchup: José Berrios goes for Toronto, Brayan Bello for Boston. Berrios has been looking more like his old self lately, which gives the Jays a boost.

Boston, meanwhile, is desperate to snap a five-game losing streak. Bello’s got a lot riding on him to stop the slide. It’s momentum versus desperation—should be interesting.

Boston’s Struggles Add an Edge to the Series

The Red Sox are in a rough spot, having dropped five straight and falling out of the playoff race. Their pitching and offense just haven’t clicked, especially in a brutal AL East.

If Boston can somehow take this series from Toronto, maybe they keep their playoff hopes alive. But honestly, they’ll need a lot more from just about everyone to turn things around.

Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment for Both Teams

Toronto and Boston are about to face off, and the stakes feel huge for both squads. The Blue Jays want to keep pushing for October baseball, even though Guerrero might not play in the opener.

Boston needs to scrap for every win to stay alive in a tough division. The pressure’s on, and honestly, it’s hard to know which team will handle it better.

Will the Blue Jays keep rolling, or can the Red Sox break out of their slump? Friday night should be a good one as these AL East rivals fight for playoff positioning and a bit of pride.

 
Here is the source article for this story: AL East Star Leaves Game With Injury Right Before Red Sox Series