The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in another hole after losing their second straight game to start the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals. The Blue Jays came back down 0-2 against the Texas Rangers, but doing so versus the Royals will be no easy task. So what needs to happen for that to happen? Here’s some of the biggest factors going into Game 3.
Marcus Stroman needs to continue to step up
Stroman came up big for Toronto in Game 2 and Game 5 against the Rangers, and the Blue Jays are counting on the 24-year-old to deliver another quality start against the Royals tonight. It’s a lot to ask of Stroman, who’s technically just making his seventh start coming off of a torn ACL, but if anybody can handle the big moment, it’s Stroman, who seems to thrive off of pressure.
Stroman has gone away from throwing his slider, and has blended in more fastballs and cutters. He’s going to have used his pitches effectively, and pitch somewhat deep in the game, as the Blue Jays bullpen has become somewhat unreliable outside Roberto Osuna, Mark Lowe and Aaron Sanchez – which was evident by David Price’s extended usage in Game 2.
Obviously, the longer he stays in the game, the better it is for the Blue Jays.
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 17: Wade Davis #17 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game two of the American League Championship Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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The Royals bullpen was one of their strengths entering the series, and their group of relievers have shown their dominance in two games.
Despite not having the luxury of arms in the bullpen as Kansas City does, manager John Gibbons made a big mistake not turning to his bullpen early enough in Game 2, while Ned Yost pulled Yordano Ventura after 5.1 shaky innings. Luke Hochevar, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis came in and completely shut the door, allowing two hits in 3.2 innings, giving the Royals 6.2 innings of scoreless relief in the series.
I don’t have a solution for the Blue Jays to fix this problem, because once you’re done with Kansas City’s starters, hitting doesn’t get easier. The Royals have multiple guys who can throw zeroes out of the bullpen. If the Blue Jays can starting hitting them, then their chances of winning this series increase dramatically – but that’s no small feat.
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 14: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays flips his bat up in the air after he hits a three-run home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers in game five of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 14, 2015 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Blue Jays power need to come alive
In two games, Toronto has managed just three runs against the Royals, and that’s not going to win them the series.
What fuels the Blue Jays offense is power. They’re one of the most exciting teams in the league when they’re using opposing pitches as driving ranges. That power has dissipated in two games (SSS). They haven’t hit a home run yet in the series, although they did rack up 10 hits in Game 2 after a pedestrian showing at the plate in the series opener, so the bats could be warming up.
Home runs should start coming immediately. It’s rare to shut out a lineup of Donaldson, Bautista, Encarnacion, Martin, and Tulowitzki for multiple games, seemingly almost impossible to do for an entire series.
It’s not going to be easy against Game 3 starter Johnny Cueto, as Toronto batters have only went deep twice and sport a .225 career average in 71 at bats vs the righty. What’s working for Jays hitters is Cueto has been inconsistent with the Royals, and if he’s even the slightest bit shaky, it may be feast time for the club.
Plus who doesn’t want to see one more bat flip from Jose Bautista?
