5 reasons the Toronto Blue Jays can complete their comeback
After losing the first three games of the ALCS, the Toronto Blue Jays claimed a Game 4 win. Here are five reasons the Jays can complete an improbable comeback.
After struggling to put runs on the board for the first three games of the ALCS, the Toronto Blue Jays broke out in Game 4, winning 5-1 and staving off elimination for at least one more game. The Jays put themselves in a deep, deep hole as they scuffled to a 3-0 deficit. While there is still very little reason to rush out to your friendly neighborhood oddsmaker and put down a few dollars (American or Canadian) on the Blue Jays, they do have a legitimate shot at pulling off just the second 3-0 comeback in league history.
The 2004 Boston Red Sox remain the only team in MLB’s lengthy history to storm back from the brink of elimination with four wins in a row, but the Blue Jays have the chops to join them. Here are the five biggest reasons Toronto’s season is far from over.
5. Platoon advantages paying off
The Blue Jays are a right-handed heavy offense, while the Indians counter with a right-handed heavy pitching staff. Ryan Merritt, a left-handed rookie, will start Game 5 on Wednesday in Toronto, but the probable Game 6 and 7 starters, Josh Tomlin, Trevor Bauer, or Corey Kluber are all righties. The two most important lefty hitters in the Blue Jays lineup, Michael Saunders and Ezequiel Carrera, have both had solid series through the first four games.
In the ALCS, Carrera is 4-for-14 with two triples, two runs, and an RBI. Saunders is 5-for-13 with a home run in Game 3. The outbursts from Carrera and Saunders come as a bit of a surprise, as both hit better against same-side pitching during the regular season. The postseason, however, is all about small sample sizes, and Carrera and Saunders are seeing the ball well against right-handed pitching in this postseason, both batting over .300.
With Jose Bautista and Russell Martin both batting below .100 in the ALCS, and Troy Tulowitzki and Kevin Pillar batting below .200, the Blue Jays must continue to get solid production from their platoon bats, Carrera and Saunders. Both have had consistently good at-bats in the series, and there is no indication that will cease to be at a moment’s notice.