Can Blue Jays vets Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette elevate their game in the second half?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette have played together since they were teenagers. They came up together through the Blue Jays farm system and all they did was win together, posting astronomical minor league numbers along the way.

Now that they have played together through thick and thin as professionals, do they have what it takes to elevate their game at a time this team so desperately needs?

Bichette owns the fourth-most hits in MLB at the break. Guerrero is Toronto's most valuable player by Baseball Reference WAR and rocks a career-high 13.5 percent walk rate. Neither is in the midst of a bad offensive season.

But the Blue Jays' pair of sluggers earned MVP votes in three of the last four campaigns.

For a long time, they've been the offence's driving force. While the 2025 Jays are enjoying their best hitting season in four years, Bichette and Guerrero are underperforming their career OPS averages by 9 percent.

Both are on pace for 20 homers, which would mark career lows.

Toronto's slugging success comes on the back of unexpected contributions of Addison Barger's breakout, George Springer's resurgence and guys like Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement.

Neither Bichette, a pending free agent, nor Guerrero, after inking a $500 million extension, have rattled off the scorching hot streak they're known for.

In July and August last year, Guerrero hit over .360 with 14 homers and an OPS over 1.100.

September is often Bichette's top month, as he owns a lifetime .323 average and .890 OPS in the final 30 days.

If Toronto's lineup depth falters, pressure on Bichette and Guerrero will rise in the second half.

If the batting order maintains, hot streaks from the core pair could turn a division race into a late-season blowout.

Either way, Bichette and Guerrero will be at the centre of the Jays' second-half hopes.

The Blue Jays are going to need Bichette and Guerrero to have big second halves if this team wants to go on a deep playoff run.

Acquiring a big right-handed bat by July 31st wouldn't hurt either.