In Houston, 38-year old Yuli Gurriel is finally playing like a 38-year-old. This is his last year on the contract, and while he could try the free agent market next year and see if anyone wants him, this very could be the last year for the legendary Astros 1st baseman. Though he only has 7 seasons under his belt, he's got years of baseball experience and has plenty to speak for.
His younger brother Lourdes, on the other hand? No signs of slowing down, at 10 years Yuli's junior. He's also got a nice piece of an up-and-coming AL squad, even with one of Yuli's old teammates George Springer hanging around...and he's even begun to form Yuli's trademark hairstyle. So I don't think the Gurriel legacy is in any immediate danger.
Lourdes was already having a nice season, but the recent series against the Red Sox catapulted him over the edge. In the infamous 28-5 win, Gurriel went 6-for-7, with 6 hits, 5 RBIs and 3 runs. Yes, he was one of many Jays to attack the Sox that night, but Gurriel had the biggest night, and boosted his average to a .318, which, while it's gone down since, rivaled only Alejandro Kirk for the top of the team. This is a guy who's always seemed like a background player on the Jays, especially compared to Guerrero, Bichette and Springer, but he's building on a great year and has been looking really impressive since the break.
As have the Jays, honestly. Not just with the aforementioned Sox series, but they seem to be the only AL East team heading upward as the Rays, Red Sox and even Yankees fall. The Jays have always been postseason favorites, and while they may still have to settle for a wild card spot, I'm still thinking they're gonna be dangerous in a few months. First of all, Kirk, Guerrero, Springer and Manoah have shown no signs of slowing down. Chapman and Hernandez have gotten a lot hotter in the last few months. The bullpen still looks pretty good, and Romano's still a great choice in the ninth. And while the team is relying on Max Castillo in Kikuchi's absence, you never know if they'll swing somebody at the deadline that no one's expecting.
Plus, it's been established that even great teams are gonna be without crucial players for Jays home games, so they've already got that advantage. It's the modern baseball equivalent of NFL teams having to play postseason games in Minnesota or Buffalo.
I think the Jays are an unlikely favorite in the AL East race, and could outlast even titans like the Astros or Yankees. If this team can do to the rest of the league what they did to Boston, it's not gonna be close.
Coming Tonight: Speaking of younger brothers of major leaguers...
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