Judge and Stanton were silenced as Gausman opened a pivotal sixth with a costly strikeout, leaving New York with loaded bases but no punch. The Yankees’ bullpen blew the game open for Toronto, while Judge reached twice and Stanton went 0-for-4 as the Jays seized early control in the ALDS.

Varland’s rise since the Minnesota deadline trade impressed Gausman, and Toronto’s bullpen stitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings to seal the win. The momentum tilts toward Toronto, with the Jays’ patient attack and NY’s relief misfires setting the tone for Game 2.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened ALDS Game 1 with a solo homer, setting the tone as the Blue Jays rolled to a 10-1 win over the Yankees.

Ate into New York’s mound with Kevin Gausman on full rest, Toronto got multi-hit nights from Guerrero and Alejandro Kirk, plus two solo blasts from Kirk and a three-RBI night from Nathan Lukes. Bo Bichette’s absence mattered, but the rest of the lineup answered, lifting Toronto’s postseason confidence and snapping a lengthy skid.

Earlier in the year, Guerrero and the Jays locked in a 14-year, $500 million extension, a rallying point for a club that surged down the stretch and reclaimed the AL East. The win underscored Toronto’s readiness for October, with the pitching edge and timely hitting carrying the day as the series shifts south to New York.

Toronto blasted to a 10-1 ALDS opener win at Rogers Centre, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s first postseason homer and Alejandro Kirk’s two solo shots. Kirk added a third milestone day with a total of five homers in three playoff games. The Jays built cushion with late scoring bursts, while Kevin Gausman navigated a tense sixth inning before handing control to the bullpen. A historic playoff win for Toronto sets them up with momentum as they take a 1-0 series lead.

The offense poured it on in the seventh and eighth, with an RBI single and double from Andres Gimenez, two RBIs from Nathan Lukes, and another sacrifice fly from Guerrero and Clement. Kirk’s day culminated with a second homer, cementing the breakout performance. New York never recovered, as Luis Gil struggled early and the Jays swatted them aside, signaling a sharp contrast between the teams in this series round.