They were down 0-2 against the Texas Rangers in the ALDS and came back to advance to the ALCS–in large part to a wild Game 5 that featured a run-scoring play on a throw back from the catcher, a massive home run from Jose Bautista and an ensuing benches-clearing situation.
Lost in the shuffle was the job of Toronto’s starter Marcus Stroman, who pitched six innings and allowed only two ER. In his two postseason starts, he has thrown 13 innings, struck out nine and compiled a 3.46 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He did not factor in either decision, but pitched well enough to win both times.
Once again he will be pitching in a crucial game. This time he will face Kansas City’s ace Johnny Cueto–who is coming off a stellar eight inning, two-run performance in the ALDS clinching victory against the Houston Astros.
Stroman will have to be more concerned about the lineup he is facing as opposed to the pitcher he is facing.
He faced them once in 2014. It came early in the season on May 31 at home in Toronto. He received the victory–throwing six innings, allowed five hits and only one run while striking out six and not walking a batter.
None of the current Royals players have more than three at bats against him. Kendrys Morales has two hits, as does Ben Zobrist.
It will be another huge opportunity for Stroman to exhibit his stuff and it will be in front of another national audience. Toronto will certainly be looking to avoid the dreaded 0-3 deficit in the best of 7 ALCS.
