Blue Jays: Key factors to winning game 3 of the ALCS

Oct 14, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto throws a pitch against the Houston Astros in game five of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays are once again staring down the barrel of a heavily loaded gun as the Kansas City Royals jumped out to an early 2 games to none lead in the ALCS.  The Royals have put on a show thus far in the series and have been the better team in all points of the game.  They have outhit, fielded, and pitched the Jays thus far and things need to change or else the Jays will be watching the fall classic from their homes.  Ahead, we break down the key factors that should lead to a Blue Jays game 3 win.

Get to Cueto early!

Johnny Cueto has had an up and down season this year.  He started the season with the Cincinnati Reds and was putting together an incredible campaign.  He had logged a 2.62 ERA in 130.2 innings and was holding opposing hitters to a .196 batting average.  Since coming to the Royals, Cueto has struggled in comparison to his early season successes.  

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He has pitched 81.1 innings with a 4.76 ERA and has a .307 batting average against him.  I think a lot of this is due to the fact that he does not know American league hitters as well, but he has Salvador Perez as a resource.  Perez is arguably one of the best catchers in all of baseball and many have raved over his abilities as a game caller.  The combination of a solid pitcher and Perez should be enough to keep KC in any game.  

Cueto’s struggles have not been isolated to the regular season though.  He has pitched in 2 games so far this post season and has had a solid outing and an ugly one.  In the 2 games he has a combined 3.86 ERA and allowed 6 earned runs in 14 innings of work.  For Cueto’s career he has a 4.37 ERA in 4 postseason outings.  That is 22 innings of work and 11 earned runs.  This is a vulnerability that the Blue Jays need to take advantage of.  The offense needs to get the jump on Cueto and grab an early lead.

Next: Would the Blue Jays bats please stand up!

Oct 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) leans on the batting cage during batting practice before game four of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Time to wake up bats!

I quote one of my favorite baseball movies by saying “have to wake up bats!”  It is time for the Blue Jays potent offense to put their stamp on the playoffs.  We have been teased thus far in the postseason and have yet to see Mount Crushmore in full force.  They  Jays have been able to get runners on during this series so far, but they have had a serious issue bringing them around.

The Jays are batting an awful 3-for-23 with runners in scoring position in the first 2 games.  This is supposed to be the best offense in baseball, so what is going on?  The bats need to come out in full force and post a solid number tonight.  With the dome field advantage tonight I hope to see a crooked number early tonight.  This would get the crownd going and shift the momentum that is clearly in the other dugout at this point.

Look no further than Jose Bautista to get things going.  He’s continued to play well in this series- but has not had many RBI opportunities.  Bautista has walked 4 times in the 2 games.  He is seeing the ball well and it is only a matter of time before the ball becomes a victim of the hurricane like swing of Joey Bats.

Edwin Encarnacion has also been hitting the ball hard, but they have just not been falling as much as they should be.  He was able to record an RBI in the 2nd game of the series.  Josh Donaldson has 2 hits in 8 at bats but has not shown the thump we are used to.  Our spark plug at the top of the order, Ben Revere, has not recorded a hit so far.  He needs to be on base to set the table for the mashers.

This trend should stop tonight versus Cueto, but look for the bottom half of the order to keep getting on base to turn the lineup over.  Chris Colabello and Kevin Pillar have been getting on base and coming through in the clutch.  If the offense gets to Cueto it could lead to extra innings for the Royals bullpen.  This could prove to be vital as the Royals have one of the best bullpens in baseball and making them work extra innings could lead to good things for the Jays later in the series.

Next: Welcome to the Stro Show!

Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the 8th inning in game five of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

The Bullpen

The starting pitching has been mediocre the first 2 games of the series, but the bullpen was also part of the issue the 2nd game.  It’s become a question mark since Brett Cecil went down with a calf injury, which produced another shuffling of roles. The Jays went form having a lefty that was near a sure thing to a player that got demoted to Triple A mid-season.  Aaron Loup has be okay at times, but has simply lacked the consistency.

The rest of the bullpen has had its issues also, but Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna have been the bright spots in what has become a feared area in games.  This has led to John Gibbons leaving in his starters an inning too long to try and bridge the gap to Sanchez and Osuna.

Hopefully the Jays will not need much from the pen tonight, seeing how Stroman has been pitching deep into games since his return.  The Royals have yet to see Stroman this season, either, which could lead them to further issues with his stuff.  If Stroman struggles, however, Gibbons may have to get clever and see what he has on the shelf.  Toronto can not afford to get down by much in this game with the Royals bullpen being lights out all season and postseason.   The bullpen must be ready to keep the Jays in this game, especially if the offense continues to struggle.

Look for veteran Mark Lowe to hopefully provide some stability, and who knows which starters may be available in this one. If the Jays can stay alive, there will be another travel day coming to give any starter that may pitch an extra day off.

Next: Home sweet Dome! The advantage of home cooking...

Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays hold up signs outside the Rogers Centre prior to game one of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Dome Field Advantage!

The Blue Jays have beaten up like a little kid losing their lunch money in their own backyard so far this postseason.  For the ALDS, Toronto had home field advantage and only won 1 of the 3 games in the series at home. The trend will need to break in Toronto’s favor as the Jays look to claw their way back in to the ALCS.

What a better way to hit the reset button than having the home crowd cleanse your troubles away.  The Rogers Centre will be rocking tonight and you all better be ready.  There is no reason you shouldn’t be screaming your lungs out!  I’ll be sitting at the local pub here in Rochester, NY, getting odd stares from Yankee and Red Sox fans the whole night, so there is no reason anyone should be shy.

Fly your Blue Jays flag proud and let it all out!  It has been years since the Jays have had this chance and I know I am not ready for this excitement to be over yet.  Jays fans can provide endless energy to the good guys on the field by supporting the team we love.  They still have plenty of fight in them and are still confident that they have this thing all the way to the World Series.  Lets lift them up and give them the push they need.

Lets Go Blue Jays!  #ComeTogether

Next: ALCD Game 3 Scouting Report - Johnny Cueto

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