MLB

When David Price's first pitch crossed the plate and got Game 1 of the American League Division Series going, there was so much optimistic energy in the air at the Rogers Centre that it's a wonder the umpiring crew didn't signal some sort of interference.

What followed, however, was a reality check. Both for Price and the Toronto Blue Jays as a whole.

The first postseason baseball game in Canada since 1993 did not go according to plan, as the Texas Rangers knocked off the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 to take a 1-0 lead in the American League Division Series. 

Yovani Gallardo was tremendous for the Rangers, breezing through the potent Toronto lineup early and limiting the damage in the fourth and fifth innings before giving way to the bullpen. The right-hander allowed four hits and two earned runs in five innings. 

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista will be back in the lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. He was removed from Game 1 after suffering a hamstring injury.

The voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers will not call the team’s 2015 postseason games.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, announcer Vin Scully underwent a medical procedure and will miss the playoffs.

Playoff baseball is finally in swing.

Each of the eight teams in the MLB Division Series have earned a spot in the tournament for one reason or another, and now it's time for them to fight forward en route to the World Series.

The following list highlights keys to victory for each team—and an aspect that will potentially hold each of them back. 

As always, feel free to defend your colors in the comments section below. 

Let's do this.

Josh Donaldson has been the biggest offensive catalyst for the Toronto Blue Jays all season long, and the third baseman is back in the lineup for Game 2 after being removed from Game 1 with a head injury.  

The Texas Rangers may have suffered a serious loss early in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, as star third baseman Adrian Beltre was taken out after suffering a back injury following an at-bat in the third inning. 

Two of the hottest lineups in baseball are slated for a showdown Thursday, as the Toronto Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the American League Division Series starting at 3:37 p.m. ET.

The Jays used a consistent attack and a successful trade deadline as fuel to skyrocket themselves to the top of the AL East for the past several months. Toronto accounted for a 48-23 record in the second half. Its offense averaged 5.5 runs per game and led the majors in home runs (232).

Improbable, a second chance, turnaround and a long time coming. Those four words and/or short phrases are apt descriptions for the four teams in play when the two American League Division Series begin on Thursday.

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers have been slated to clash in the National League Division Series for a few days now, but the St. Louis Cardinals' first postseason opponent was finalized Wednesday by virtue of the Chicago Cubs' 4-0 Wild Card Game win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.