clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Ryan Merritt Makes the most important start of his career

The Cleveland Indians are up 3-1 in the ALCS, and regardless of what anyone will try to tell you otherwise, that is an awesome position to be in.

By Tyler Griffith
Our fate is in your hands, Ryan.
Our fate is in your hands, Ryan.
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Indians @ Toronto Blue Jays

Wednesday, October 19, 2016. 4:08 PM EST, Rogers Centre

TV: TBS, SNET

Radio: WTAM, SN590

--

No way around it: yesterday wasn't fun. But, look at it this way: the Cleveland Indians are still one game away from the World Series. The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, are facing an uphill battle as they now trail 2-1. The Tribe has the best position in the playoffs right now, and nothing anyone can say can make me change my mind on that. Today, the Cleveland Indians turn to rookie left-hander Ryan Merritt, who will be making the most important start of his life. I saw him pitch in Columbus this past August; if he's as good as he was that day, the Tribe has a fantastic chance at taking Game 5 from the Toronto Blue Jays. To do that, they will need to put some runs up against starter Marco Estrada, whom they've already saw once in the ALCS. Worst case scenario, the Indians head back to Cleveland still up 3-2. They're in the driver's seat, let's get it done today. Here are the starting 9 for your Tribe:

Today's Lineups

CLEVELAND INDIANS TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Carlos Santana - 1B Jose Bautista - RF
Jason Kipnis - 2B Josh Donaldson - 3B
Francisco Lindor - SS Edwin Encarnacion - 1B
Mike Napoli - DH Troy Tulowitzki - SS
Jose Ramirez - 3B Russell Martin - C
Lonnie Chisenhall - RF Melvin Upton Jr. - DH
Coco Crisp - LF Ezequiel Carrera - LF
Tyler Naquin - CF Kevin Pillar - CF
Roberto Perez - C Darwin Barney - 2B
Ryan Merritt - LHP Marco Estrada - RHP

LET'S GO TRIBE!!!

More From Covering the Corner