TORONTO -- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looked to Hollywood to lift the spirits of Toronto fans after the Blue Jays finished one win shy of a postseason berth in 2021.
"What we did last year was a trailer," Guerrero said through a translator at spring training. "Now you guys are going to see the movie."
Unfortunately for Guerrero and Toronto, that movie turned into a horror show come playoff time.
The Blue Jays were swept out of their AL wild-card series against Seattle, dropping each of the two games. They were shut down by Luis Castillo in a 4-0 loss in the opener, and then blew an 8-1 lead in a 10-9 loss on Saturday.
"It's really hard,″ said Teoscar Hernandez, who homered twice and drove in four runs for Toronto in Game 2. "There's nothing I can say that's going to make me feel better for a while."
Toronto has lost five consecutive playoff games and eight of nine, dating to a five-game loss to Cleveland in the 2016 ALCS. The Blue Jays also were swept by Tampa Bay in the 2020 wild-card round.
Interim Manager John Schneider went 46-28 after replacing Charlie Montoyo in July as Toronto finished one win better than the previous season to clinch the top AL wild-card spot. But when the playoffs arrived, the Blue Jays couldn't deliver.
Even amid the pain of postseason defeat, Schneider pointed to consecutive 90-win seasons and a strong core of stars as reason for optimism.
"This group will be back in the exact same spot very, very soon," Schneider said.
Besides Guerrero and shortstop Bo Bichette, the AL hits leader, Toronto also could bring back outfielder George Springer, third baseman Matt Chapman and Hernandez. Right-handers Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman are expected to help anchor the rotation.
Gausman wasn't with the Blue Jays in 2021, but tasted his own October anguish when his San Francisco Giants lost to the Dodgers in the division series after winning 107 games in the regular season.
Gausman said the Blue Jays had visions of a deep October run, and echoed his manager's positive outlook for 2023.
"From day one of spring training, the expectations on this club were sky high," Gausman said. "We've been playing this entire season with the expectation of being in the World Series. Now we kind of know what to expect next year when those are the same predictions. We're all excited for that. Unfinished business."
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder George Springer is taken out of the game on a cart after he collided with shortstop Bo Bichette while to trying to catch a ball hit by Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford during the eighth inning of Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder George Springer leaves the field on a cart after being injured in a collision with shortstop Bo Bichette during the eighth inning of Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder George Springer (4) cannot catch a double off the bat of Seattle Mariners designated hitter Carlos Santana during the fifth inning of Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider talks with home plate umpire Todd Tichenor (13) during the fifth inning of Game 2 of the baseball team's AL wild-card playoff series against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman looks to the fans after being taken out during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning in Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) receives a standing ovation as he leaves in the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws during the first inning in Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, left, throws during the first inning in Game 2 of a baseball AL wild-card playoff series against the Seattle Mariners in Toronto, Saturday, Oct.8, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)