Blue Jays name ALCS Game 1 starting pitcher
TORONTO (AP) -- Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada was selected to start Game 1 of the AL Championship Series in Cleveland on Friday night.
Estrada allowed one run and four hits in 8 1/3 innings to beat Texas in the AL Division Series opener last Thursday, starting Toronto to a sweep. He's 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in eight career postseason games, including four starts. He made four postseason relief appearances for Milwaukee in 2011.
ALCS coverage continues Friday on SportsTime Ohio with Drennan Live postseason pregame at 6 p.m. and Indians Live postgame following the final pitch of Game 1
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Estrada was "the logical choice" to start Game 1.
"You look back the last couple of years at how good Marco has been in big games for us," Gibbons said Tuesday. "He's one guy, too, that probably needs more than anybody to keep on as close to normal (rest) as possible, not too much time off."
Gibbons said right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who led the AL with a 3.00 ERA, will likely make just one ALCS start.
