Guerrero’s big bat gets crack at future hall of fame Dodger
LOS ANGELES They may not yet be ready for star billing in nearby Hollywood, but a visit to Dodger Stadium certainly provides the latest opportunity for the young Blue Jays to put on a show. And perhaps play tourist to one of the great experiences in the game.
Chavez Ravine is as fine a setting as there is in the big leagues, one the Jays are visiting for the first time since 2007.
There is the historic team on the other side playing in a historic ballpark that is almost always a full house or close to it.
And most importantly, in the three-game set which began here on Tuesday, the junior Jays were facing a starting rotation that may be the best in baseball for a Dodgers team that began Tuesday’s action with the best record in the major leagues.
Certainly Vlad Guerrero
Jr., who has been on fire since the all-star break, was looking forward to facing future hall-offamer Clayton Kershaw in the opener. Guerrero, who tweaked his knee Saturday, ran the bases and took some fielding drills early in the afternoon and was given the green light to return.
And while Guerrero tries not to be blinded by the bigger lights in the league, as he showed in the home run derby last month, the big lad acknowledged facing Tuesday’s starter would carry a little something extra.
“It’s exciting to be here and facing (Kershaw),” Guerrero said. “For me, all the pitchers in the big leagues are good; I mean, they’re in the big leagues. But in his case, when I was in the minors, I watched him a lot on TV and I got it in my mind that one day I wanted to face him and finally the day is today.”
Though he had an MRI Sunday after an awkward defensive play the previous day, Guerrero said he was never worried about missing time on an extended basis. The 20-year-old said his body has held up well through the grind of what will be the longest season of his young pro career.
“Definitely, I feel good,” said Guerrero, adding there was just some mild inflammation in his knee. “I know it’s been a long season, but I’m healthy. I’m just going to continue to come here every day and work hard.”
Guerrero, of course, has been on enough of a tear to put himself in the AL rookie of the year conversation. Over his previous 26 games, Vlad is hitting .364 with nine doubles, six homers and 28 RBIS.
Meanwhile, manager Charlie Montoyo figures Guerrero and his young lineup will benefit from some of the big remaining dates on the schedule, including three against the Dodgers, four against the Atlanta Braves, plus series against the New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
“It’s going to be big for all of our young guys, honestly,” Montoyo said. “It’s going to be a pretty good test this whole month. It’s a pretty good test and it’s going to be good for the kids.”
As we’ve seen through much of the hot play of late, the young Jays haven’t blinked often, even against good teams. There have been some rough patches, but the learning curve has been impressive including Bo Bichette opening Tuesday’s game with his sixth homer of the season.