Toronto Blue Jays: Players Who Stepped Up in the ALDS Series

Oct 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman reacts after striking out Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (not pictured) in the sixth inning in game two of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Stroman

When Stroman was announced as the Game 5 starter it was still hard to believe that this could have played out much differently when he went down with his ACL injury. He had all the odds stacked against him when he wanted to be a pitcher in the MLB because of his size. Then he suffers a gruesome injury that many were skeptical about him being able to overcome at all. Then after months of hard work and a unbelievable return where he went 4-0 in September he gets the call for Games 2 and 5 in a high pressure situation that had no effect on his nerves or abilities.

He was unable to outduel Cole Hamels in Game 2, even though he and the Blue Jays deserved a better result, but he was not going to let it happen again as he won the rematch against Hamels in Game 5. His attitude and energy re-ignited the Blue Jays hope to the point where many believe that he is now the number one pitcher for the Blue Jays this postseason. Tough to imagine considering the way he started the season heartbroken, but now he can stake his claim as one of the best comeback stories in baseball in recent memory.

Next: Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna