TORONTO Ryan Merritt has made one start in his major league career, giving up one run on three hits to the Royals over five innings on Sept. 30, a game that meant e sentially nothing as Cleveland already had the American League Central title wrapped up.The left-handers next start will be a bit more significant: Game 4 of the American
John Kruk Jersey League Championship Series.Merritt wasnt even going to be on Clevelands roster for the series, and before the ALCS began, Mike Clevinger was announced as the Game 4 starter.MORE: Fun facts, wacky stats, postseason oddities you mightnot know about(Joe) Colon was our reliever, Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. When Trevor (Bauer) had his drone accident, we decided wed better make sure we had some length. So thats the reason. With Clev, if Clev pitches really well, hes probably going to go a couple, maybe three (innings). If Ryan throws really well, hes stretched out where he could give us some innings.Merritt pitched 143 1/3innings in Triple-A this season, making 24 starts as he posted a 3.70 ERA for Columbus. The 24-year-old southpaw was a 16th-round draft pick in 2011, and has all his clichs in order.
Carlos Santana Jersey Its awesome that they trust me to be in this situation, Merritt said. Im just going to go out there and have fun, enjoy it, and try to give my team the best chance to win. (The Blue Jays have) been in the playoffs before, so they know how to play in the playoffs and its going to be a challenge.SPECTOR: Indians pitching tribe directing Cleveland towards SeriesIts a challenge that Merritt still might not get. Francona left open the po sibility that Cleveland would bring back ace Corey Kluber on three days rest, particularly if Bauer made an early exit from Game 3 and taxed the bullpen.If Trevor is OK, then we slot Corey in two days (for Game 5, if nece sary), Francona said. Everybody stays on normal rest.Except, that is, for Merritt, who would
Phillies Cool Base Red Jersey be making his first game appearance in nearly three weeks. He did, at least, throw a few simulated games in Arizona in their instructional league. And I went four innings, threw a bullpen after and still felt like I could keep going.ALCS 2016: John Gibbons is for human umps, despite Bautista's commentsToronto might be just a little bit different than a simulated game in Arizona.
