ALCS Game 3 Open Thread: Indians at Blue Jays

Cleveland Indians at Toronto Blue Jays (Indians lead 2-0)

Time/Place: 8 p.m. ET, Rogers Centre
TV: TBS
Pitching Matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (4.26 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 2016) vs RHP Marcus Stroman (4.37 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in 2016)

Outlook

We’ve all heard about Trevor Bauer slicing his pinky finger on his drone a few days ago. If he doesn’t do well this evening, he is going to get an even bigger earful from the Cleveland fans and media than he already has. Marcus Stroman has regressed from the 1.67 ERA he achieved in four games started in 2015, as he had Tommy John surgery early last year and hasn’t gotten back to his former self yet.

Hitters to fear are Russell Martin (3 for 6, 1 HR career against Bauer) from Toronto and Carlos Santana and Rajai Davis (.375 BA in 16 AB combined career against Stroman) from Cleveland.

Prediction

The Blue Jays had a 3-3 record at home in the 2015 postseason, though it seems like it was better than that. Regardless, it’s hard to bet against them, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Bauer. I’ll say that the Blue Jays win this one.

Who are you rooting for?