It’s only right that a series this exceptional ends with a Game 7.
On Monday night, the Toronto Blue Jays will host the Seattle Mariners for the decisive matchup of the AL Championship Series, a winner-take-all showdown to determine who will take on the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
The Blue Jays haven’t been to the Fall Classic since 1993, when they took down the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to capture a second straight title. The Mariners, meanwhile, are still chasing their first pennant — the only franchise in baseball without a World Series appearance.
It all comes to a head on Monday night, and a diamond north of the border will serve as center stage for baseball history. All eyes will be on hometown hero, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who aims to shoulder the weight of an entire country and lead Toronto back to the World Series.
First pitch is set for 8:08 p.m. ET. Toronto enters -132 moneyline favorites, while Seattle is listed as a +109 underdog. The total is set at 7.5 runs.
Ahead of Monday night’s decisive Game 7, here’s my favorite Vladimir Guerrero Jr. prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. prop bet for AL Championship Series Game 7
Most players take years to live up to a colossal contract extension. Some never do. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did it in just a couple of weeks in October.
Six months after signing a 14-year, $500 extension, the 26-year-old has emerged as the postseason’s most dominant slugger. In 10 games, he’s erupted for 18 hits, six home runs, and 12 RBIs, posting an unfathomable 1.532 OPS — leading all postseason hitters in each of those categories. Guerrero boasts a pristine 1.000 slugging percentage, meaning he’s averaged one total base per at-bat. And just in case there was any doubt of his excellence, Vladdy carries a 302 wRC+ this October — literally three times better than the league-average hitter.
On Monday night, Guerrero will face Seattle right-hander George Kirby, who was tagged for eight earned runs over just four innings in Game 3. Vladdy did his part in the offensive onslaught, going 3-for-3 against Kirby with a single, double, and a towering solo shot to dead center. He’s now 5-for-12 all-time against the 27-year-old righty.
Guerrero enters Game 7 riding the momentum of another massive performance on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with another no-doubter to stave off elimination. Toronto banked on Guerrero to be their franchise player for years to come — and after just six months, he could be the one to send the Jays to their first World Series since before he was born.
