The Toronto Blue Jays will look to stave off elimination at home in Toronto on Tuesday, now trailing three games to none in the ALCS. The Jays will have to hope that their lineup can revive its offensive production against Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians.
Game 4 will air Tuesday at 4:08 p.m. ET, on TBS in the United States and on SportsNet in Canada. Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, and Cal Ripken Jr. will be in the booth broadcasting the game for TBS and Sam Ryan will be reporting from field level.
The Blue Jays plan on sending Aaron Sanchez to the mound for Tuesday afternoon’s game. The 24-year-old Sanchez went 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA in his first full season as a starter. Sanchez started Game 3 of the ALDS, but struggled in 5⅔ innings, allowing six runs and issuing four walks despite allowing just three hits. Sanchez also did worse in his starts at the Rogers Centre this season, posting a 3.74 ERA at home compared to a 2.48 ERA on the road.
The Indians, meanwhile, have had to adjust their rotation thanks to Trevor Bauer’s finger injury. The club initially announced Mike Clevinger and then Ryan Merritt as Tuesday’s starter, but manager Terry Francona hinted he may potentially start staff ace Corey Kluber on short rest in Game 4. Kluber started Game 1 of the ALCS, allowing six hits and striking out six batters over 6⅓ scoreless innings. Francona confirmed Monday night in a mid-game interview with TBS’ Sam Ryan that Kluber will start Game 4 for the Indians.
The Blue Jays have been the beneficiaries of a couple strong pitching outings in this series, but it has just not been enough for them. Marco Estrada threw a complete game and allowed just two runs in Game 1, but received zero run support and a corresponding loss. J.A. Happ went just five innings in Game 2, but avoided a bad outing by also allowing just two runs. Despite three shutout innings from the bullpen, the Jays fell short once again due to their once-mighty offense mustering just one run of support. Once again in Game 3, the Jays failed to top two runs, and once again they fell short.
The Indians’ offense has been more effective, getting contributions from several hitters. The leaned on three players early on, as shortstop Francisco Lindor, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, and designated hitter Carlos Santana combined for all 10 hits in the Indians’ first two wins of the ALCS. Lindor has hit .304 in the postseason, following an impressive regular season during which he hit .301 with 15 home runs, 78 RBI, and 19 stolen bases. In Game 3, Cleveland received some help from different sources, with Mike Napoli and Jason Kipnis homering.
How to Watch ALCS Game 4
When: 4:08 p.m. ET
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto
TV: TBS in the United States, Sportsnet in Canada
Streaming: TBS Live Stream or Postseason.tv
Radio: ESPN Radio