Fansided

ALCS 2016: 5 reasons Blue Jays will win

By Joshua Sadlock

October 6, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) safe at third after hitting a three run RBI triple in the third inning against the Texas Rangers during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
October 6, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) safe at third after hitting a three run RBI triple in the third inning against the Texas Rangers during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates after scoring the winning run past Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (25) in the 10th inning to give the Jays a three game sweep in 2016 ALDS playoff at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates after scoring the winning run past Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (25) in the 10th inning to give the Jays a three game sweep in 2016 ALDS playoff at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Getting healthy at the right time

While the Indians are down two key starters, health no longer appears to be a major concern for the Blue Jays. There were questions surrounding Josh Donaldson and Marco Estrada entering the playoffs. Donaldson dealt with a sore hip that hampered him most of the season’s final month. Estrada has been dealing with a herniated disc in his back. Both showed in the ALDS that these injuries may no longer be a major concern.

Estrada’s command abandoned him at times in the second half as his back made it difficult to finish pitches. In Game 1 against the Rangers, he came a few pitches short of tossing a complete-game shutout. Texas never threatened or looked comfortable against Estrada’s marvelous changeup. He will take the ball in Game 1 once again.

Donaldson proved his hip was fully healthy as he dashed home from second base on a play where the ball never left the infield in the deciding game of the ALDS. In the first four games of the playoffs, Donaldson is batting .500 with a 1.304 OPS. He has been impossible to retire.

Every team has players who are dealing with minor nagging injuries by the time the postseason rolls around. How well those players play through the pain decides series. Estrada and Donaldson came out firing in the ALDS, and if they have another good series, the Blue Jays should win.

Home/MLB