The Texas Rangers won over the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB playoffs on Thursday, taking Game 1 of the American League Division Series to lead the postseason matchup 1-0 heading into Game 2. The game saw a number of injuries to key players, as Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Adrian Beltre were all banged up.
David Price was not at his best for the Blue Jays and the Rangers took advantage with home runs from Robinson Chirinos and Rougned Odor to win 5-3 in Game 1. The injuries were a major story in the game, as Beltre had to leave in the third inning after straining a muscle in his back,while Josh Donaldson later had to leave for the Blue Jays after he was kneed in the head while trying to break up a double play.
After the game the Blue Jays said that Donaldson passed all the protocol tests and that he likely would play in Game 2, while Rangers manager Jeff Banister did not give an official status for Beltre, according to ESPN. Yovani Gallardo got the win for the Rangers and he now is 4-0 in his career against the Blue Jays. Price came in after not pitching for 11 days and that may have played a part in why he was not so sharp for Toronto.
Jose Bautista helped put a run on the board with a home run in the sixth inning, but he later left the game with a hamstring issue. The Blue Jays said that Bautista will be playing on Friday and that the injury is not serious. The Chirinos home run gave the Rangers a 4-1 lead and they were in control for nearly the entire game and now have a chance to sweep the first two games in Toronto with a win on Friday.
The second game of the series has Cole Hamels against Marcus Stroman and that is a big game for the Blue Jays with the ALDS being a five game series. The Blue Jays are hosting a series for the first time in two decades and they are looking to get their first playoff win since winning the World Series.
Stroman came back to the Blue Jays this year after tearing a knee ligament before the season started and he was very strong down the stretch, going 4-0 in September. Cole Hamels was acquired at the trade deadline and he went 7-1 with the Rangers and according to ESPN.com, the team has won the last 10 times he started.
Check here for more on the MLB playoffs and for the postseason schedule.