Blue Jays look to even ALDS with Rangers | CBC Sports - Action News
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Blue Jays look to even ALDS with Rangers

The Toronto Blue Jays are still alive as they attempt to even the American League Division Series against the Rangers in Game 4 on Monday (4 p.m. ET) in Texas.

R.A. Dickey set for post-season debut

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey will make his post-season debut as his team attempts even the series against the Texas Rangers and send the ALDS back to Toronto. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

The Toronto Blue Jays are still alive as they attempt to even the American League Division Series against the Rangers in game four on Monday (4 p.m. ET)in Texas.

Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey will finally get his chance on the mound, as he makes his first playoff appearance in another do or die situation for the AL East champions.

Debate swirled over which Toronto pitcher would get the nod in the crucial fourth game.Though untested in the post-season, manager John Gibbons confirmed Sunday that Dickey would have his shot.

David Price, who started in a 5-3 game one loss on Thursday, will be available in the bullpen if necessary.

Toronto broke through Sunday night andregistered its first playoff victory since 1993 when the Jays notched a 5-1 triumph to force another gamein the best-of-five matchup.

Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki played through shoulder pain and was the hitting star of the game, smacking a three-run homer to become the fourth player in team history to drive in four or more runs in a post-season game.

"Good enough to go, good enough to play and tons of treatment, to be honest with you," Tulowitzki said in the post-game press conference when asked about his health. "I could do it all day, but just go out there and play and see what happens."

Texas sluggerJosh Hamilton saw his post-season hitless funk stretch to 31 at-bats before hitting singles in each of his last two trips to the plate on Sunday. Prince Fielder is in the midst of his ownslump, going 88 post-season at-bats without a homer.

Pitching matchup

  • Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (2015: 11-11, 3.91 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (2015: 4-3, 4.91)

The 41-year-old Dickey will become the oldest pitcher in baseball history to make his post-season debut. He struggled on the road this season with a 2-8 record and 4.83 ERA in 16 starts but always has liked pitching in Arlington, Texas."The humidity is usually nice and it's warmer," Dickey said at his press conference. "Those are two things that contribute to a moving knuckle ball, one that reacts favourably as far as movement's concerned. That's what I rely on."

GregHolland lands the pivotal start for the Rangers despite posting a 7.62 ERA over his last five outings. He was chosen over veteran right-hander Colby Lewis, who won a career-high 17 games this season. "We like the body of work," Texas manager Jeff Banister said at a press conference. "We like what we have seen from him lately . One of the more challenging decisions that we've had to make."

Walk-offs

  • Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre, who has missed the last two games with back stiffness, is in the lineup for Game 4
  • Tulowitzki has hit two post-season homers in 70 at-bats the other coming in 2007 as a member of the Colorado Rockies against the Boston Red Sox.
  • Texas OF Shin-Soo Choo (1-for-13) and Fielder (1-for-12) are batting a combined .080 in the series.

With files from SportsDirect Inc.