Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels, left, and pitching coach Doug Brocail talk as they walk in from the outfield during practice at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, ahead of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays; Game 1 is on Thursday. (Rodger Mallison/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)
The stage is officially set for the divisional series and a rivalry could be renewed as the AL West winning Texas Rangers (95-67) host the AL Wild Card Winners in the Toronto Blue Jays (89-73). This is the second straight year that both teams will meet in the ALDS.
These two teams are notoriously known for their bench clearing brawls and hot tempers, but with so much up for grabs, can both teams keep their differences at bay for a best of five series?
When: Thursday, October 6, 2016 @ 4:30pm
Where: Globe Life Park, Arlington, Texas
The Matchup:
Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Marco Estrada (9-9; 3.48) will take the start for the Jays in the opening game of the ALDS. Estrada was stronger earlier in the season and really began to struggle in August and into mid-September but, showed improvement in his last three starts.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have chosen to go with their Ace LHP Cole Hamels (15-5; 3.32) for their first game of this postseason. Hamels has made 15 postseason starts in his career and has a 7-5 record and a 3.03 ERA. The last time that the left-hander faced the Blue Jays was in Game 5 of the ALDS last season.
Heavy Hitters:
Toronto Blue Jays
- Edwin Encarnacion has been a force at the plate, especially in clutch situations. His walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the eleventh off of the O’s Ubaldo Jimenez, advance the Jays to the ALDS.
Texas Rangers
- Adrian Beltre is a hitter that Jays’ pitchers should fear. He hit .300 on the season with 89 RBIs, thirty-two homers and 104 RBIs.
- A welcomed addition at the trade deadline, since Carlos Beltran’s arrival from the New York Yankees he has continued to help power uns in for the Rangers. He has hit .295 on the season with 29 homers and 93 RBIs. He has a career .332 average in the postseason with 16 homeruns and 40 RBIs.
Starting Lineups (as of 2:20 p.m):
Toronto Blue Jays
Devon Travis, 2B
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Jose Bautista, DH
Russell Martin, C
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Kevin Pillar, CF
Melvin Upton, Jr., LF
Texas Rangers
Carlos Gomez, LF
Ian Desmond, CF
Carlos Beltran, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Rougned Odor, 2B
Jonathan Lucroy, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
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