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

Oct 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman reacts after retiring the Texas Rangers in the 6th inning in game five of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Stro-Show in PRIME TIME!

No one on the Jays has enjoyed the spotlight as much as Marcus Stroman.  The argument could be made for Jose Bautista too, I suppose, or at least his epic bat flip!  Stroman has been Toronto’s best pitcher in the postseason thus far, so look for him to be a key in turning this thing around for the Jays.  We all know the story by now I hope.  The ultra competitive Stroman went down in Spring Training with what was thought to be a season-ending ACL injury, but he vowed that he would be back to help his teammates come fall.

He has been nothing short of dominant since his return and has been one of the biggest clutch contributors on the team.  For a man whose personal motto is Height Doesn’t Measure Heart (#HDMH) he has been proving why he is developing into one of the game’s premier pitchers.

Going in to tonight, Stroman will be feeding off of an amazing crowd in the Dome.  The high energy environment of the Rogers Centre had Stroman pumped in his last start which ended with the “bat flip heard round the world.”  Stroman has been killer in the high-octane environment and only seemed to get better when defining moments of the game unfolded.  As the crowd gets amped, look for Stroman to be a cheer leader for himself and his teammates.  The Blue Jays need him at his best tonight, and if he is on his game, look for his guys to back him up with some lumber and fine leather.

Next: Stroman needs some help from his 'pen friends!