Daily Dose: The Price is Wrong
When the Blue Jays acquired All-Star left-hander David Price in a deadline deal from the Tigers, they envisioned him pitching the team into a division title and then to the World Series. The 30-year-old southpaw made good on the first part of that dream, going 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 11 starts for the Jays, fanning 87 hitters in 74 1/3 innings.
He wasn't nearly as sharp on Thursday as the Blue Jays took the field in the postseason for the first time since 1993. Having not pitched in the last 11 days, Price was knocked around to the tune of five runs on five hits in his seven frames.
The Rangers broke through early, with a pair of RBI singles from Delino DeShields and Adrian Beltre in the third inning to take a 2-0 advantage. After the Jays had gotten a run back in the fourth, Robinson Chirinos delivered the game's biggest blow with a two-run blast in the fifth. The Jays continued to chip away, cutting the deficit to 4-3 heading into the seventh. That's where Rougned Odor belted a solo home run, completing the damage against Price and the scoring in the ballgame.
Aside from their ace getting knocked around, the Blue Jays were forced to deal with a few major injury scares during the first game of the ALDS. Josh Donaldson took a hard knee to the head from Odor while attempting to break up a double play in the fourth inning. While he stayed in the game initially, he was pulled the next inning and put through the proper concussion protocol. After passing all of those tests, Donaldson is expected to be in the lineup on Friday afternoon, though he'll first be re-evaluated in the morning.
Jose Bautista was also forced to leave the game in the ninth inning after experiencing cramping in his right hamstring. He is fully expected to be in the lineup on Friday. Before departing, Bautista had clubbed his first career postseason home run.
Beltre sidelined - Series in Jeopardy?
While both Blue Jays All-Stars who were forced to leave Thursday's Game 1 are expected to return to the lineup, the Rangers aren't expected to be that fortunate.
Adrian Beltre suffered a strained lower back while sliding in an attempt to break up a double play in the first inning. He was about to tough out the next few frames, and even delivered an RBI single in the third inning, but the pain eventually became too much to bear.
The 36-year-old slugger received an anti-inflammatory injection during the game. He's being listed as day-to-day after an MRI later revealed no structural damage.
The Rangers are hopeful that he'll be able to return soon, though they're being sure to cover all of their bases. Joey Gallo and Ed Lucas are being flown to Toronto in case Beltre isn't ready to go on Friday and the team doesn't think he'll be ready to return for the remainder of the series.
If Beltre is unable to give it a go on Friday, but the team thinks he will be able to return in a day or two, they'll roll with rookie infielder Hansel Alberto at third base for Game 2 on Friday. The unquestioned leader of the Rangers offense, it would be a huge blow if he's forced to miss any significant amount of time.
Astros jump out to early lead
The Houston Astros offense came out of the gate swinging in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday, hanging three runs on Royals ace Yordano Ventura before rain forced him from the game after two innings. Their first three hitters reached safely to start the game, with Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis each delivering RBI groundouts to give the Astros an early lead.
They would extend that advantage in the second inning when Jose Altuve came through with an RBI single. After a rain delay that lasted nearly an hour, the Royals began to creep back into the game on a pair of home runs by Kendrys Morales. That's when the Astros decided to do some slugging of their own as George Springer and Colby Rasmus each clobbered solo shots.
Collin McHugh, who won 19 games during the regular season, picked up a victory in his first career postseason start, limiting the Royals to two runs on four hits over his six frames. Unlike Yordano Ventura, he came back to the mound after the rain delay.
Kendrys Morales single-handedly provided all of the Royals offense in the defeat, tagging McHugh for solo homers in the second and fourth innings. He became the first Royals hitter since George Brett in 1985 to blast multiple home runs in a postseason game.
The Royals will look to pull even in the series on Friday when Johnny Cueto takes the mound against Scott Kazmir.
American League Quick Hits: Yovani Gallardo hurled five innings of two-run ball, leading the Rangers to a critical victory over the Jays in Thursday's Game 1 of the ALDS... Yordano Ventura allowed three runs on four hits before a lengthy rain delay forced him out after just two innings... He will start Game 4 of the series (if necessary)... Chris Young racked up seven strikeouts over four impressive innings of relief... Chad Qualls did not make the Astros bullpen for the ALDS... Jose Altuve paced the offensive attack in Thursday's victory, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored... Jonathan Villar was also held off the Astros roster... Dallas Keuchel, who shut down the Yankees in the American League Wild Card game, will start Game 3 for the Astros... The Royals chose to carry Terrance Gore over Jonny Gomes for their ALDS roster... Martin Perez will start Game 3 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays... Marcus Stroman will start for the Blue Jays in Game 2 on Friday, with Marco Estrada tabbed for Game 3 and R.A. Dickey getting the ball in Game 4 (if necessary)... The Tigers have spoken to J.D. Martinez about a long-term contract extension... Dylan Bundy (shoulder) threw off a mound for the first time in four months on Wednesday... Tim Beckham and Nick Franklin are expected to compete for the Rays' starting shortstop gig in 2016.
National League Quick Hits: Matt Adams was held off of the Cardinals roster for the NLDS... Jaime Garcia will get the ball in Game 2 for the Cardinals, Michael Wacha will start Game 3 and Lance Lynn toes the slab in Game 4... Yadier Molina (thumb) is expected to start behind the plate in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday... Justin Ruggiano was included on the Dodgers roster for the NLDS... Despite a rough regular season, Joel Peralta was included as well... Scott Van Slyke and Jim Johnson were not included on the Dodgers roster for the NLDS... Steven Matz (back) was able to throw 80 pitches in a simulated game on Thursday. He's expected to start Game 4 of the NLDS... Coming off an 11-strikeout dominating shutout over the Pirates in the National League Wild Card game, Jake Arrieta will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Cardinals... Kyle Hendricks will start Game 2 of the NLDS for the Cubs, with Jason Hammel a possibility for Game 4... Michael Cuddyer is expected to start in left field for Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday... Denard Span admitted Thursday that X-rays on his injured hip came back "looking good". He's expected to be ready for spring training... Christian Bethancourt underwent successful surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee... Walt Weiss will return for another season as the Rockies manager in 2016... The Marlins announced Wednesday that they'll both shorten and bring in the fences at Marlins Park before next season... Hyun-Jin Ryu has begun a throwing program and is expected to be ready for spring training.
