Blue Jays Pre-game News and Notes: Bautista Back In the Leadoff Spot
In hopes of sparking the offence, the Toronto Blue Jays are putting Jose Bautista back in the leadoff spot for Game 3 of ALCS.
Jose Bautista will be atop the Toronto Blue Jays‘ lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS, replacing outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, who has led off for Toronto during Games 1 and 2.
Bautista created headlines on Sunday when he said that “circumstances were working against Toronto in the ALCS,” which many assumed was a shot at the umpires who have worked this series. He did, however, say that both teams have endured a few tough calls at the plate, but all the attention is on Bautista and his “circumstances” comment.
Comments aside, the Blue Jays have had success with Bautista atop their lineup, which is something MLB.com’s Alykhan Ravjiani pointed out on Twitter Monday afternoon.
Interesting stat: #BlueJays went 25-15 (.625) when Bautista hit leadoff in the regular season and averaged 5.3 runs per game.
— Alykhan Khamisa Ravjiani (AK) (@AlykhanKR) October 17, 2016
Kluber Could Pitch Game 4:
If Trevor Bauer gets into trouble early tonight, Indians manager Terry Francona said that the team would be comfortable turning to Corey Kluber for Game 4. If Bauer pitches well, the Indians will turn to Ryan Merritt on Tuesday and likely have Mike Clevinger available as well.
Corey Kluber would start for Cleveland on short rest in Game 4 if Trevor Bauer runs into trouble tonight per Terry Francona
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) October 17, 2016
If Kluber were to pitch in Game 4, the Indians could use him again in Game 7, should the series make it that far. Either way, it’s clear the Indians want to maximize Kluber this series and will win or lose with their ace.
Benoit Throwing
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae caught relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit throwing on flat ground Tuesday, which is a promising development in his calf injury.
Update #BlueJays reliever Joaquin Benoit: no more crutches!! And throwing on flat ground. Sorry, this is as close as they let me take this. pic.twitter.com/Jgaznhdo4I
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) October 17, 2016
If the Blue Jays were to make it to the World Series, Benoit would be eligible to pitch, but his health remains a major question mark. It’s great that he’s throwing off flat ground, but with the World Series set to start next week, I doubt Benoit would be ready by then, but you never know.
Today’s Lineup:
Aside from Bautista being moved to the leadoff spot, Troy Tulowitzki was also moved in the Jays’ lineup, sliding from fifth to fourth. The bottom of the order will feature Kevin Pillar, Carrera and Ryan Goins.
As for the Indians, they have gone back to their traditional lineup against right-handed pitchers and will have Carlos Santana back in the leadoff spot, while Lonnie Chisenhall, who has four hits during this series, will slide into the six spot.
Blue Jays:
Jose Bautista, RF
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Russell Martin, C
Michael Saunders, DH
Kevin Pillar, CF
Ezequiel Carrera, LF
Ryan Goins, 2B
Marcus Stroman, SP
Indians:
Carlos Santana, DH
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Tyler Naquin, LF
Roberto Perez, C
Trevor Bauer, SP
Pre-game Tweets from the Beats:
Gibbons: We all make a good living, not worried about it out next job or supporting a family. That's real pressure. #Bluejays #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) October 17, 2016
Gibbons: Not a lot of breathing room anymore, so you might do something a little earlier, but if starter's good, he's good. #Bluejays #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) October 17, 2016
Gibby on Bautista in lead-off spot: "Come back to an old thing that really worked for us. Run your top dogs right away."
— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) October 17, 2016
Next: Could the Blue Jays Bring Back both Encarnacion and Bautista?
Enjoy Game 3, Blue Jays fans! We’ll have a three takeaways post up following the game, so be sure to check back then.