Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays happens this afternoon (3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 CT, FOX Sports 1/Sportsnet) to the home of the Blue Jays, whose last appearance on this stage concluded with Joe Carter's 1993 World Series Game 6 walk-off home run.
The Roger Center ballpark formerly known as Skydome is expected to be jam-packed to maximum decibel and excitement levels that come from an expected capacity of close to 50,000 that's as eager as any for October. Meanwhile, the Rangers shouldn't have a problem handling this. They are back in familiar territory, making their fourth playoff appearance in the past six years.
David Price described his pitch at 3:37 p.m. ET., to start off the Texas Rangers vsToronto Blue Jays game, "It can turn 95 [mph] into 96. It can make that hitter get to that pitcher's pitch. It pumps you up. I mean, everybody out there tomorrow's going to have adrenaline, but it will take it to that next level. And it's a big factor."
According to SB Nation, Price was 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts since being acquired by the Blue Jay from the Detroit Tigers on July 30, two days after Toronto signed shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies.
SB Nation said, "The offense is the driving force behind the Blue Jays, who outscored their opponents by a whopping 221 runs in 2015, by far the best in baseball. MVP candidate and Gold Glove third baseman Josh Donaldson combined with outfielder Jose Bautista and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to hit 120 home runs this year, with Encarnacion's 39 bombs the fewest of the trio."
"Texas for me has always been a tough team to pitch against, especially back in the day. Now they have Napoli back, I think he was in the seven hole for about two or three years hitting 25, 30 home runs," Price was quoted as saying prior to the game, "So it was always a tough lineup for a left-handed pitcher to face, but I've thrown the ball well against them."
Three things to know about this game:
- The Rangers are entering Game 1 with a head of steam. They are the first team since the 2006 Twins to win their division after trailing by as many as eight games in August.
- The Blue Jays finished the season with a 53-28 (.654) record at Rogers Centre, tied with Houston for the highest home win percentage in the AL and tied for the highest win percentage at home in club history (.675 in 1985; .654 in 1992).
- Toronto won each of its two three-game series against Texas this year, leading to a 4-2 advantage in the overall season series. The teams last matched up Aug. 25-27 in Texas, where Toronto won the first two games and lost the finale.
How to Watch Online; Livestream
Game 1 between the Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays will be available online via the Fox Sports Go app, with authentication required via television provider.
Rangers vs. Blue Jays, ALDS Game 1
Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto
Time: 3:37 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 1
Streaming: Fox Sports GO mobile app; Postseason.tv
Radio: ESPN Radio
