Stroman, Hamels Take Mound in ALDS Game 5 | IXGAMES
The American League Divisional Series has been excellent for the road teams as Texas won the first two games in Toronto, and then the Blue Jays returned the favor in Texas. On Wednesday, the two meet at the Rogers Center with a ticket to the ALCS on the line. Texas’ Cole Hamels didn’t get the win in Game 2’s 6-4 14-inning marathon, but he did his part. The southpaw went seven innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out six with no walks. He allowed a first-inning solo shot to Josh Donaldson, but Hamels made big pitches when he needed to. He has proven himself as capable of handling pressure, winning the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP and is now 7-4 in 14 postseason starts with an ERA of 3.05. The Blue Jays counter with Marcus Stroman, who kept up with Hamels by lasting seven innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. That was the 24-year-old’s playoff debut. Since returning from an ACL, he has won all four starts in the regular season with an ERA of 1.67 as the Blue Jays rolled to the AL East crown.