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5 postseason keys for the Toronto Blue Jays

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada (25) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the New York Yankees during the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada (25) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the New York Yankees during the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Transition Marco Estrada successfully to a relief role 

The top three of Toronto’s playoff rotation is set with Price, Dickey and Stroman. With a likely four-man rotation, the Blue Jays will have to decide between Mark Buehrle and Marco Estrada for the final spot.

Both have pitched well this season and are deserving of the position. Buehrle has a 3.76 ERA (4.13 FIP) in 30 starts per FanGraphs, while Estrada has posted a 3.15 ERA (4.40 FIP) over 33 total appearances.

However, moving Estrada to a needed long relief role could bring more value to the team in the playoffs. Estrada already has plenty of experience as a reliever in his career, including at the beginning of this season, which could make a difference in the high-pressure environment of the postseason.

In addition, Estrada seems less likely than Buehrle to sustain his current numbers despite a very impressive season overall. Estrada has been extremely prone to the long ball during his career, and his career-low HR/FB rate of 8.1 percent seems likely to go significantly up at some point.

Even if Estrada is relegated to a long relief role, that doesn’t mean he won’t play an important part in Toronto’s postseason success. Both Dickey and Buehrle would presumably be on a short leash, so Estrada could be called on often. With some other parts of the bullpen struggling, Estrada could be a critical factor in long relief.

Next: Get Production from deep in the lineup

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