Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played hero once again at Rogers Centre, delivering the decisive blow in the Blue Jays' tense 2-1 victory over the Cubs Thursday afternoon. With the game knotted in the sixth, Guerrero Jr. unleashed a towering two-run homer—his 1.000 OPS on the day reflecting his season-long dominance—turning a pitcher's duel into a Toronto triumph. The Cubs' Matthew Boyd had stifled the Jays for six innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five, but Guerrero's 397-foot shot off the lefty proved the difference.

Max Scherzer matched Boyd's intensity, scattering five hits over seven gritty innings while surrendering only Michael Busch's solo homer in the fourth. Toronto's bullpen then slammed the door, with Jeff Hoffman striking out two in a perfect ninth to preserve the win. The loss drops Chicago below .500 on their road trip, while the Jays—sparked by Guerrero's clutch power—claw closer in the wild-card race.