The Texas Rangers will play the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 2 of their ALDS on Friday, and already, with this being a shorter five game series, this is looking like a must-win for the Blue Jays after their Game 1 loss. Today's big MLB 2015 Playoffs game between the Rangers and Blue Jays has a start time of 12.30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on MLB Network, or online through MLB.tv live stream via the link below.
The Rangers surprised many by winning Game 1 on Thursday in a 5-3 game. If they can gain a second straight win today then they will take full control of the series as things move to Texas for Game 3, and it would mean they need to win just one of the final three games in the series to progress.
Many pundits has penciled in the Blue Jays to win Game 1; they had posted an impressive 53-28 record at the Rogers Centre through the regular season after all. However, things did not go as expected and the Rangers have the chance to leave Toronto being 2-0 up in the series.
Marcus Stroman will be the man who takes to the mound for the Blue Jays in what is almost a must-win game for them. Stroman went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four starts after he recovered from a torn ACL in spring training, and he will be hoping to continue that excellent run in today's game to drag Toronto back into this series.
For the Rangers, Adrian Beltre is out after suffering a back strain. The third baseman left Game 1 with an injured back after sliding awkwardly when going for second base. A follow up MRI scan showed that he had suffered a back strain and that means infielders Ed Lucas and Joey Gallo have been brought up to Toronto on stand by.
It will be interesting to see whether either Lucas or Gallo are activated by the Rangers, as if they are then that would mean Beltre would not be eligible for the next round of the Playoffs. So if he is replaced it would tell a lot about just how serious his injury is. Beltre would not be eligible again until the World Series if he was replaced at this stage, so it would really be a last resort for the Rangers to go this route.
Today's big MLB 2015 Playoffs Game 2 of the ALDS has a start time of 12.30 p.m. ET and can be watched online through MLB.tv live stream by clicking here.
