The long wait is finally over. With the marathon regular season and the Wild Card games now done and dusted, the stage is now set for the MLB Division Series. Only eight teams remain in the hunt for the much-coveted World Series title and it will be fascinating to see which among these talented sides will be the last team standing come November.
With the American League Division Series starting today, now is the perfect time to dissect the Texas-Toronto and Houston-Kansas City matchups. Read on below as we break down every game of this year’s ALDS. While you’re at it, you can check out our Blue Jays-Rangers series preview here.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays ALDS Predictions
Game 1: Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
When: Thursday, October 8, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Texas Rangers (+200) at Toronto Blue Jays (-240); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1/SNET
Pitching Matchup: Yovani Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA) at David Price (18-5, 2.45 ERA)
[sc:MLB240banner ]After a 22-year hiatus, the Toronto Blue Jays finally make their much-awaited return to the playoff stage later today in Game 1 of the ALDS. Starting for the Blue Jays in the series opener is undisputed ace David Price. He finished the regular season with an AL-leading ERA of 2.45, and 5th in WHIP (walks + hits per innings pitched) with a solid 1.08 mark.
Those numbers won’t faze the Rangers, though, who will start the ever-reliable Yovani Gallardo. The 29-year-old Mexican went 2-0 against Toronto (13.2 innings) in two starts against them this year. Gallardo’s 1-2 with a 2.08 ERA all-time in the playoffs. Price, on the other hand, is 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA in his postseason career.
Writer’s Prediction: Buoyed by a partisan home crowd, the Blue Jays storm to a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
When: Friday, October 9, 12:30 PM ET
TV Broadcast: MLBN/SNET
Pitching Matchup: Cole Hamels (13-8, 3.65 ERA) at Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67 ERA)
After grabbing the series opener, the Blue Jays will turn to another power pitcher in Marcus Stroman for Game 2 of the ALDS. Stroman has been a revelation for Toronto ever since his miraculous return from a knee injury he suffered back in spring training. He is 4-0 this season with a 1.97 ERA and has issued only six walks in 27 innings.
He’ll have his work cut out for him, however, in Game 2 as he will square off with the veteran Cole Hamels. The lefty showed his worth in the Rangers’ final regular-season outing, throwing a complete game to ensure Texas’ qualification. In 13 playoff starts for the Phillies, he went 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA. He’s faced the Blue Jays four times in his career and has been roughed up to a 0-2 record and 6.97 ERA.
Writer’s Prediction: Toronto’s offense goes berserk as the Blue Jays take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Game 3: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers
Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
When: Sunday, October 11, 8:00 PM ET
TV Broadcast: FS1/SNET
Pitching Matchup: Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13 ERA) at Derek Holland (4-3, 4.91 ERA)
With their season hanging in the balance, the beleaguered Rangers give the ball in Game 3 to Derek Holland. He has made 13 postseason appearances for the Rangers including four starts, going 3-0 with a 3.79 ERA. That being said, the Rangers will be concerned with Holland’s form of late. He posted a 7.62 ERA in his final five starts of the season.
That will be music to the ears of the Blue Jays, who will start Marco Estrada in this pivotal Game 3. He held opponents to an American League-low .202 batting average and had a top five ERA (3.13) this season. Even if that is the case, the Rangers will still fancy their chances of scoring against Estrada. They scored 404 runs at home this season, fourth-best in the entire majors.
Writer’s Prediction: Texas’ offense finally awakens as the Rangers stay alive in the best-of-5 series.
Game 4: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers (if necessary)
Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
When: Monday, October 12
TV Broadcast: FS1/SNET
Pitching Matchup: R.A. Dickey (11-11, 3.91 ERA) at TBD
Still armed with a 2-1 series lead, the Blue Jays give the ball in Game 4 to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. The veteran has been almost unbeatable for Toronto since the All-Star break, going 8-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 15 starts in the second half of the season. This will be Dickey’s first career postseason start.
With regards to the Rangers, their starter for this pivotal Game 4 remains a mystery at this point in time. My money’s on Gallardo, though, making the start on just three days’ rest. He has fared extremely well against the Blue Jays this season, throwing 13 scoreless innings against them and allowing just six hits.
Writer’s Prediction: Dickey pitches the game of his life to lead the Blue Jays to their first playoff series win in 22 years.
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Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals ALDS Preview
Game 1: Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
When: Thursday, October 8, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Houston Astros (+127) at Kansas City Royals (-137); total: 7.5 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: Collin McHugh (19-7, 3.89 ERA) at Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08 ERA)
The Houston Astros will head into Game 1 of the ALDS with momentum on their side after trouncing the New York Yankees, 3-0, in the AL Wild Card game. Dallas Keuchel threw six shutout innings to lead the Astros to their first postseason appearance since 2005. The Astros will look to get that same pitching performance later tonight from Game 1 starter Collin McHugh. He will fancy his chances against the Royals as he has fared extremely well against them in the past. The only time McHugh faced the Royals in his career, he didn’t allow a single run, pitching seven scoreless frames while striking out nine on May 27 last year.
The Royals, on the other hand, will have Yordano Ventura as their starting pitcher tonight. Since returning to the Royals lineup following a demotion in late July, Ventura has posted an incredible 9-1 record with a 3.10 ERA.
Writer’s Prediction: The Astros stun the Royals in Game 1.
Game 2: Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
When: Friday, October 9, 3:30 PM ET
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: Scott Kazmir (7-11, 3.10 ERA) at Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44 ERA)
On the mound for the Royals in this must-win game is Johnny Cueto. He has had a rocky start to his Kansas City career, posting an abysmal 4-7 record with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts. In seven starts at Kauffman Stadium, Cueto was 3-4 with a 4.40 ERA. That being said, the Royals will take heart in the fact that he’s slowly returning to his old form. In his last four starts for the Royals, Cueto recorded an ERA of just 3.24 (25 innings). That’s definitely way better compared to his performances in the previous five games wherein he posted an ERA of 9.57 (26.1 innings).
Cueto isn’t the only player who’s got something to prove in this critical Game 2. Astros starter Scott Kazmir surprisingly is also in the exact same boat. The veteran lefthander hasn’t won since August 22. He will look to end that winless drought against the Royals, the same team he beat in his Astros debut back on July 24. He pitched seven scoreless innings in that 4-0 win. He’s 1-1 with a 2.11 ERA in three starts against the Royals this season, holding Kansas City to five runs in 21.1 innings.
Writer’s Prediction: Cueto lives up to his lofty status as he gives the Royals the all-important victory.
Game 3: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
When: Sunday, October 11, 4:00 PM ET
TV Broadcast: MLBN
Pitching Matchup: Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA) at Dallas Keuchel (20-8, 2.48 ERA)
With the series knotted at a game apiece, the Astros turn to their ace Dallas Keuchel in Game 3. This will be Keuchel’s first start since his dominating performance against the Yankees in the AL Wild Card game. He has been spectacular at home this season, posting a 15-0 record with a 1.48 ERA at Minute Maid Park. He went 1-1 against the Royals this year.
Getting the starting nod for the Royals in this pivotal contest is right-hander Edinson Volquez. For the second consecutive year, he finished the season with 13 wins. He will have his work cut out for him, however, against a Houston side that swatted a whopping 230 homers this season.
Writer’s Prediction: Keuchel leads the Astros to a shutout victory.
Game 4: Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros (if necessary)
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
When: Monday, October 12
TV Broadcast: FS1
Pitching Matchup: TBD at TBD
There’s still no word yet from both camps regarding their starters for this possible Game 4 clash. If the Royals are down 2-1, though, it’s highly likely that Yordano Ventura will get the start for the Royals and pitch on three days’ rest. He has been solid for Kansas City the last two months and Ned Yost wouldn’t hesitate on calling his number for this sudden-death clash. Starting Ventura in Game 4 also gives the Royals the opportunity to start Cueto in a make-or-break Game 5 if the series goes that far.
On Houston’s part, look for the Astros to counter with McHugh in what would be a rematch of the Game 1 starters. Even though he will be pitching on just three days’ rest, McHugh can take comfort in the fact that his teammates have given him enough run support this season. He ranked fourth in the American League in run support, getting an average of 5.79 runs per start.
Writer’s Prediction: The Astros edge past the Royals to win the series, 3-1.
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