A.M. Wahoo’s: The ALCS is Finally Back in Cleveland
The Cleveland Indians are set to take on the Toronto Blue Jays tonight to begin the American League Championship Series.
For the first time in nine years, the Cleveland Indians will host an American League Championship Series game. It sure has been a long wait, but this team seems to be one to make the wait well worth it.
Corey Kluber is set to open up the series on the mound for the Indians, going up against Marco Estrada of the Toronto Blue Jays in what is sure to be a great pitching battle, at least on paper.
The key for the Indians will be to score early, forcing the Blue Jays to go to the bullpen and begin worrying about pitcher usage in Game 1. If the bullpen is overworked to start the series, it will put an immense amount of pressure on the rest of Toronto’s starters, giving the Indians the early advantage.
As we have been saying since the start of the postseason, it is nearly impossible to predict how this series will go. After dominant pitching in the ALDS, it could be the offense that carries the Indians throughout the ALCS.
The speculation is nearly coming to an end as the series starts tonight, so while we wait for first pitch let’s take a look at the news surrounding the Indians and the rest of the MLB in today’s edition of A.M. Wahoo’s.
Cleveland Indians News:
Cleveland Indians Will be Fine Without Danny Salazar
"The Cleveland Indians have had a magical 2016 up to this point, and Danny Salazar was a part of the ride for much of the season."
Terry Francona Managed His Way to Home-Field Advantage
"Remember the final week of the regular season when Terry Francona decided to rest his starters after his Cleveland Indians clinched the American League Central title?"
If ALCS Goes Like This, We’ll All be Dead in Ten Days (Let’s Go Tribe)
"The Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays will face off in the American League Championship Series, starting Friday night at Progressive Field."
Mantra Powering Indians’ Postseason Success? ‘Just Breathe’ (ESPN.com)
"Coco Crisp has 120 plate appearances worth of postseason experience."
MLB News:
Did Bruce Bochy Make the Call with His Gut? (Call to the Pen)
"Matt Moore, a midseason acquisition by the San Francisco Giants from the Tampa Bay Rays, had pitched perhaps the strongest eight innings of his career giving up a mere two runs (one earned) on two hits and striking out 10 in a do-or-die game."
Blue Jays should have starting pitching advantage in ALCS (Jays Journal)
"It seems like a long break between rounds, but that’s what happens when you have two division sweeps in the American League."
LCS Start Times Set Through Oct. 21 (MLB.com)
"Major League Baseball has announced the start times of this postseason’s League Championship Series games through Oct. 21."