Toronto’s high-powered offense has put up just one run over the first 18 innings; Cleveland had to be more than thrilled to see Josh Tomlin go 5.2 innings while giving up only a single run in Game 2.
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First pitch for the Indians and Blue Jays game is scheduled to take place at 8:00 P.M. Eastern.
The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a virtual must-win situation on Monday night. He allowed two runs and just four hits over six innings during the AL wild-card game against Baltimore. Allen retired Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, and Troy Tulowitzki in order to get the save in Game 2 Saturday afternoon. Cleveland’s bullpen was a strength all year, ranking second in the American League in ERA (3.45) despite not acquiring its top weapon, Andrew Miller, until August.
Go inside the numbers and matchups that will decide Monday night’s game, and then vote for which team will win at the bottom of the page.
First, though, the Blue Jays face Kluber, who will be starting on short rest for the first time in his career. The saving grace of the Blue Jays is that, while you can’t cheat actual death, even the best relievers get got once in a while. Their status as a team that must hit home runs to score has been more or less confirmed, and that’s not something that will change any time soon. Marcus Stroman has regressed from the 1.67 ERA he achieved in four games started in 2015, as he had Tommy John surgery early past year and hasn’t gotten back to his former self yet. Bautista hasn’t helped their cause, going 0-for-6 with five strikeouts.
Jilesen noted that the legal action is not seeking to cancel the game or its broadcast, nor is it seeking to stop fans from using the team name or logo.
The Indians have had to juggle their rotation because of injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, and Bauer had to be pushed back from Game 2 to Game 3 after cutting his finger on a drone.
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Toronto sends Marcus Stroman to the mound against Cleveland right-hander Trevor Bauer.
