5 reasons the Toronto Blue Jays can complete their comeback

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Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the third 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 /

1. They’ve been here before

The 2015 ALDS will forever be remembered for Jose Bautista’s bat flip in Game 5, but that iconic moment never would have happened if the Blue Jays had been unable to battle back from a 2-0 hole. To further complicate things last year, the Jays had to go on the road to win Games 3 and 4.

In that fateful playoff series a year ago, the Blue Jays never folded, and they came out swinging in Game 4 this year. After Josh Donaldson’s home run, a weight appeared to be lifted, and the Jays went on to score four more runs, with the Indians never threatening.

Momentum is still on Cleveland’s side, and they may not start pressing until the Blue Jays win another game. The Indians may have the big lead in the series, but they have not done enough to erase all confidence in the Toronto dugout. All five games of the series have been close.

The Blue Jays must jump on the Indians early over the final three games of the series if they are to have a chance of pulling this thing out. Josh Donaldson must stay hot, Bautista, Martin, and Tulowitzki have to step up, and Saunders and Carrera must continue to put pressure on the Indians from the bottom of the order.

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The 2016 season has been a roller coaster ride for the Blue Jays. The offense has come in fits and starts, nearly keeping the team out of the playoffs in September. Through it all, the starting pitching has given the Jays a chance to win every single game and the big names have found a way to come up big in the biggest moments. Can that continue for three more games?

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