Blue Jays ALCS Game 6 X-factors

Oct 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Price (14) throws against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning in game four of the ALDS at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

As the Blue Jays continue to play comeback in the ALCS, it’s time to profile a few players that could be the deciding factors in this game.  The Blue Jays have kickstarted their comeback and won 2 games in Toronto, but now the final games of the series will be played in Kansas City.  Let’s hope the Jays flip the 1985 series outcome on the Royals, cap this series off and go take on the Mets.  Here are the 5 X-factors that could spell a win for the Blue Jays.

David Price

The pitching has been the Blue Jays achilles heal throughout the playoffs.  David Price has the spotlight on him tonight to show what he is really made of.  We have seen glimpses of dominance from Price but have not gotten the whole picture since the regular season ended.  After becoming a Blue Jay at the trade deadline, Price would win 9 games, pitch 74.1 innings, post a 2.30 ERA, and strike out 87.  Now through the postseason thus far he is posted an ERA of 7.22 through 16.2 innings.  This is not the David Price we got used to watching since he was acquired.

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Price pitched excellent for much of his last start but had a couple rough innings.  Price allowed a single to Alcides Escobar to start the game but would go into lock-down mode and retire the next 18 batters.  There was not another base runner until the 7th inning which is where the issues began.  The Royals went on to shred the Jays in the 7th inning and scored 5 runs.  Yes, all of that was not Price’s fault, but there were plenty of problems that inning.  He is just the one that the box score blames as he was saddled with all 5 earned runs.  

Price performing in this game will be crucial to the Blue Jays success.  Toronto’s bullpen is thin, and John Gibbons would love to have Price pitch deep into this game.  This will go a long way to keeping the Royals hot bats cold if Toronto can have a full pitching staff at their disposal in game seven.  Look for the Price to be right this evening because he is one of the best pitchers in the game and should get plenty of support from a solid defense and offense.

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