5 reasons the Toronto Blue Jays can complete their comeback

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Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Indians can’t score either

Runs have been at a premium in the first four games of the series. Through 36 innings, the teams have played to a 9-8 score, with the Indians ahead by the lone run. For Cleveland, five of the nine runs have come via the long ball. Cleveland has only 19 hits in the series, and was limited to only two hits in Game 4.

Francisco Lindor starred in the first two games of the series for the Indians, but has gone without a hit in his past seven at-bats. Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez have struggled almost as much as Jose Bautista and Russell Martin.

Comparing this series to the epic comeback by the Red Sox in 2004, the Blue Jays have to feel much more confident in their ability to recover. The New York Yankees had blitzed Boston 19-8 in Game 3 of their ALCS, and also put up 10 runs in Game 1. The Indians do not have the same unstoppable offensive vibe as the Yankees.

The Blue Jays had the best starters’ ERA in the American League this year by nearly half a run. Estrada and Happ did their jobs in Games 1 and 2, but the offense could not deliver. If both can do the same in Games 5 and 6 and continue to limit the Indians to three runs or fewer, the Blue Jays should be able to pass the stick to a combination of Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez in Game 7.

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