For one American League Division Series, Game 3 on Sunday could be an ending. For the other series, Game 3 on Sunday is all about controlling home-field advantage. In both series, winning Game 3 is critical.
Let's take a look at the remaining schedule and Game 3 odds while breaking down Sunday's crucial matchups.
After a heartbreaking loss in Game 2, the Toronto Blue Jays are on their last breath. Back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the 14th inning by Hanser Alberto and Delino DeShields Jr. gave the Texas Rangers a 6-4 win on Friday night and a 2-0 lead in the series.
"Our backs are against the wall," Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki told the Associated Press, via ESPN. "It's not where you want to be, but that's what we're faced with."
What they'll next face is a matchup against starting pitcher Martin Perez, who has given up just one earned run in his last 13 innings. He hasn't been terribly susceptible to the long ball, giving up just three in 78.2 innings pitched, and much of Toronto's offense is predicated on home runs.
Marco Estrada will try to earn the win for Toronto. The 32-year-old was 13-8 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 131 strikeouts this season, so the Blue Jays are in good hands.
They will only go as far as the middle of the lineup takes them. Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Tulowitzki struggled in Game 2, going went 2-for-22 from the plate (though Donaldson did hit a solo home run). If that foursome doesn't heat up, and soon, the Rangers will be quickly on their way to the American League Championship Series.
The Kansas City Royals were everybody's favorite American League upstarts in 2014. This year, the Houston Astros fit the bill.
The two teams head into a crucial Game 3 with the series even at one game apiece after Kansas City recovered from an early 3-0 deficit on Friday. It was a familiar story for the Royals, as they relied on their prowess in the field, deep bullpen and clutch hitting to pull out the win.
And boy, things should only get better from here, as Houston's ace, Dallas Keuchel, will face Edinson Volquez on Sunday. Keuchel has been amazing this season, but as Jerry Crasnick of ESPN noted, the Royals won't be intimidated:
Keuchel, in Houston, is tough to beat, and Kansas City will be facing a steep hill to return to the World Series if it goes down 2-1 in this series. But the Royals have done all of this before, so it's not wise to bet against them just yet.
All games streamed at MLB.TV. All odds via OddsShark.com.
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