Andrew Miller and the Cleveland Indians' bullpen banded together to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 Monday in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
After losing starting pitcher Trevor Bauer in the first inning because his lacerated finger started gushing blood, the Indians got another great performance by their bullpen to stifle Toronto's mighty lineup. With the win, Cleveland is just one game away from playing in the World Series.
Here are our three takeaways from Game 3 of the ALCS:
1. Indians continue Royals' bullpen model. Sprung into action early after Bauer's premature exit, Cleveland's bullpen continued its dominant ways by giving up just two runs in 8 1/3 innings. Cleveland, which entered Monday's game with a 1.60 postseason ERA, best among MLB teams this postseason, used six different pitchers after Bauer's departure. Some teams might have been thrown off by the sudden change in game plan, but Francona made sure his bullpen was ready to perform.
Cody Allen, the team's closer, came into the game in the seventh inning and once again held the Blue Jays scoreless (thanks to a great catch by Coco Crisp). Allen had not pitched in the seventh inning since 2014. He also recorded two outs in the eighth inning. Miller, who struck out three batters the final 1 1/3 innings, has not allowed a run in 17 1/3 postseason innings throughout his career.
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The Royals dominated teams with a stifling bullpen in last year's World Series win and the Indians look like they may follow their model.
2. Mike Napoli and Jason Kipnis find their form. Heading into Monday's game, Napoli was 0 for 9 against Marcus Stroman (the Blue Jays starting pitcher). He quickly rectified that with an RBI double in the first inning and a home run in the top of the fourth, becoming just the fifth person to record a postseason home run with four different teams.
Kipnis had been struggling since posting three hits, a home run and two RBIs in Game 1 against the Boston Red Sox last series, but he regained his form with a line-drive home run in the sixth inning. Kipnis, who is still batting under .100 this series, needs to heat up if the Indians are going to go the distance.
3. Blue Jays power hitters have lost their groove. What has happened to Toronto's bats? Despite playing in a series against a team virtually without three of their four best starting pitchers, the Blue Jays have mustered just three runs in three games. Josh Donaldson has largely been consistent, but the rest of the talented lineup has been conspicuous in their absence.
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Edwin Encarnacion went 0 for 4 with three runners left on base Monday. He has now failed to record a hit in his last two games. Jose Bautista, who batted leadoff Monday, has recorded just one hit all series. Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin have not faired much better. After losing in the ALCS last year, Toronto is staring the same fate in the face after falling three games behind in the series.
Highlight
Here's Bauer's infamous right pinkie finger that forced him to leave after four batters:
Trevor Bauer is bleeding. It's a slippery slope from here to defrauding the state of Rhode Island out of $75 million.https://t.co/beB2m0tmcS
— SportsPickle (@sportspickle) October 18, 2016
MORE: Indians-Blue Jays highlights, stats, info
What's next
Indians (3-0) at Blue Jays (0-3) 4 p.m. ET — Francona stayed true to his word and announced Corey Kluber will pitch this game on short rest. The Cy Young hopeful has not allowed a run 13 1/3 innings this postseason. Toronto will try to avoid the sweep with Aaron Sanchez on the mound.