The Cleveland Indians will send a rookie to the mound in their second attempt to finish off the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series.
On Wednesday at Rogers Centre (4:08 p.m. ET), rookie left-hander Ryan Merritt gets the start against Blue Jays righty Marco Estrada. Cleveland leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 after Toronto's 5-1 win Tuesday.
Merritt's major league resume consists of 11 regular-season innings this year. He made one start, holding Kansas City to a run and three hits in five innings on Sept. 30.
"If you told me on the first day of the season I would be pitching in the ALCS, I might have thought you were crazy," Merritt said. "Clinching this win would be awesome. To get this opportunity is awesome. It feels good that the team trusts me."
Francona is optimistic Merritt will be up to the task.
"I think he's OK," the manager said. "He talked to [pitching coach Mickey Callaway] a little bit about the scouting report this morning."
'I like where we're at': Bautista
As for the Jays, they will have to prepare for a pitcher they have never seen. But Jays slugger Jose Bautista thinks the circumstances work in their favour.
"We'll try to look at videos, look at some scouting reports, see how his ball moves," Bautista said. "Not having seen him play, it's something that could go either way. With our experience and our lineup, I'm pretty sure he's going to be shaking in his boots more than we are. So I like where we're at."
Cleveland has been without starters Carlos Carrasco (broken hand) and Danny Salazar (forearm) this entire post-season. Right-hander Trevor Bauer left Game 3 after four batters when blood began dripping from his right pinkie, sliced open last week as the pitcher was repairing one of the drones he enjoys flying as a hobby.
The early exit by Bauer forced the Indians to get 25 outs from their stellar bullpen Monday night and prompted Francona to turn to Kluber on short rest in Game 4.
If the ALCS goes the distance, Kluber could wind up starting on three days' rest again. Game 7 would be Saturday in Cleveland.
"We're one win away from the World Series and that's what we're focused on," Kluber said.
Cleveland rookie gets the call as Indians look to finish ALCS
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire