Marco Estrada: Toronto Blue Jays Name Mexican Pitcher Starter For Game 1 Of ALCS

Major League Baseball’s postseason is in full swing. With just five dominant teams remaining, you know we’re in for an instant classic of a finish. While the Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers are duking it out in the National League, the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays will collide in the American league Championship Series.

Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons has named his Game 1 starter.

Marco Estrada will take to the mound against Terry Francona’s Indians on Friday at Progressive Field. Estrada will be pitching against Indians right hander Corey Kluber.

"You look back the last couple of years at how good Marco has been in big games for us," Gibbons said. "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."

The Mexican-born pitcher did not have his best stuff during the regular season posting a 9-9 win-loss record on the mound with a 3.48 earned runs against average. Estrada did however strikeout a career high 165 batters this season, and he does have a proven track record in the postseason.

In eight career playoff starts, Estrada has an impressive 2.67 ERA. The 33-year-old veteran got the start in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, and he played as well as you could ask for. Estrada allowed just one run in 8.1 innings pitched against the Texas Rangers. Blue Jays fans are hoping he repeats that same success.

The Indians eliminated (actually swept) the Boston Red Sox to get where they are at today. The Blue Jays also swept their divisional round opponent to make it just four wins away from the 2016 World Series. With the Blue Jays and Indians combining for an impressive 7-0 record this postseason, you can bet we’re in for a heck of a finish.