Speed, Russell Martin could be a decisive factor in ALCS
CLEVELAND – The two teams in this year’s American League Championship Series have a lot in common besides sweeping their opponents in the previous playoff round.
The Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays, feature strong pitching staffs and top-10 offenses, but one major difference is in their approaches to the running game. The Indians led the AL in stolen bases, while the Jays ranked 13th – and the ability to take an extra base here and there could be an advantage the Tribe may try to exploit in this series.
“We’re one of the better running teams in the league. That comes with the guys we’ve got in the lineup,” second baseman Jason Kipnis said at the team’s workout on Thursday. “We’ve got a bunch of athletic guys all over the field.”
Outfielder Rajai Davis led the team with 43 stolen bases, while third baseman Jose Ramirez (22), shortstop Francisco Lindor (19) and Kipnis (15) were also significant contributors.
“I think the whole lineup worries about those small things, putting the pressure on, because we have to,” Kipnis said.
“We’re not one of those guys who just roll out do a 40 and 120 (homers and RBI), we need to steal the extra bag or go first-to-third or second-to-home, and that’s how we’re going to score runs. We kinda pride ourselves on that now.”
On the other side, Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin – who has been one of the better defensive catchers from 2013-15 – was not as effective this season. He allowed 61 stolen bases during the regular season, the fifth-most in the majors. And he threw out only 11.
Martin’s 15% caught-stealing percentage was the lowest of any regular catcher in the majors. And he’ll have to face an Indians team whose stolen-base percentage (81%) was the best in the AL and second overall.
“Pitching staffs have a lot to do with base running, too,” said Jays manager John Gibbons. “I don’t think you can get carried away with it because the name of the game is to get the hitter out at the plate.
Toronto’s starting pitcher in Game 1, right-hander Marco Estrada, allowed 12 stolen bases (in 13 attempts) during the regular season, second-most on the team. So there’s a decent chance the Indians will test the Estrada-Martin battery when they have the opportunity.
“We’ll definitely be conscious of it,” Gibbons said, “and hopefully we can shut that down.”
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Road to recovery
The Blue Jays will have trade deadline acquisition Francisco Liriano on the active roster for the ALCS. Those rosters had to be finalized by 10 a.m. Friday. Liriano and second baseman Devon Travis were both included, as expected.
“He was going to throw in the bullpen (Thursday) off the mound,” Gibbons said. “If all is well, he should be good to go.”
Liriano had to leave Game 2 of the division series when he was hit in the head by a line drive. He was treated for concussion symptoms, but the left-hander said he never lost consciousness and he’s feeling just fine now.
“I don’t have any symptoms. No headaches. No dizziness … We’ll see.”
Since the Jays replaced him for the rest of the division series, he won’t be eligible to join the team until Saturday – which means he’ll have to miss the opener vs. Cleveland.
Gibbons said playing Game 1 with only 24 players was “not ideal, but that’s okay” if Liriano is fully healthy.