2016 Junior League Championship Series: Game 3, Indians @ Blue Jays

When we left the Land of Cleves our heros, the Blue Jays (92 – 75), were trailing in the Series, having lost both games away.

Not a good start.

Saturday’s Game

Bottom 2nd- Leadoff Solo Shot. Indians 1 – 0.

Top 3rd- Single. Sacrifice. RBI Double. Tied at 1.

Bottom 3rd- Walk. Fielder’s Choice. Steal. Wild Pitch, Runner at 3rd. RBI Single. Indians 2 – 1 Final.

Indians lead Series 2 – 0

Now we are in the country of free healthcare (yes, even if they come to the U.S. for elective surgery), Back Bacon, and good Beer (as opposed to the swill we drink in the States eh?) and the Blue Jays are hoping they can get healthy on some home cooking because facing elimination 3 – 0 is not a place you want to be.

The Indians (100 – 67) have their own problems. For one thing Canada takes its relationships with First Nations seriously and both the Indians name and their racist mascot/logo, Chief Yahoo are offensive, so much so that we will see you in court hoser.

The Blue Jays will be sending Marcus Stroman (R, 9 – 10, 4.37 ERA) to the hill. He had a no decision in his Division Championship appearence, giving up 4 Hits and 2 Runs in 6 Innings. He threw 6 Strike Outs and has a relatively sparkling 3.00 ERA.

Relative compared to the Indians’ Trevor Bauer (R, 12 – 8, 4.26 ERA) who likewise had no decision in the Division Championships and allowed 6 Hits and 3 Runs (2 of them Homers) in 4 2/3rds Innings. He also has 6 Strike Outs but a less than stellar 5.79 ERA.

Also he did something stupid during his time off and cut the pinkie finger on his throwing hand requiring 10 stiches to close the wound and preventing him from making the Game 2 start. I know a Doctor who says that anything that takes 10 stitches to close is not going to be healed by game time. He’ll be ineffective at best and more likely hit the bench early.

Which should be good news. I had a nightmare that it was the Yahoos vs. the Traitors of Chavez Ravine in the World Series and I honestly don’t know whether I would cover that or not.

I certainly wouldn’t want to watch it.