While the two Wild Card games ended in shutouts, the American League Division Series between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays was a very offensive matchup. Eventually, the Rangers went on to a 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays to snag Game 1 of the ALDS.
Delino DeShields got the first postsesason RBI knock for the Rangers to drive in Rougned Odor and get Texas on the board in the third.
That RBI was followed up by a single from Adrian Beltre, who finished 1-for-1 with an RBI and a walk.
The future Hall of Fame candidate, Beltre, left the game due to a back strain injury. According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Beltre's MRI showed no structural damage and the Rangers are considering him day-to-day.
"Obviously we want Adrian in there," manager Jeff Banister said. "He's the heart and soul of this ballclub."
Odor scored in the third inning and then came back with a run scored in the fifth inning. The second baseman touched home on a 393-foot homer off the bat of Robinson Chirinos, the ninth hitter to make it 4-1 in favor of Texas.
The first run for the Blue Jays came on an infield single off the bat of Edwin Encarnacion.
After the homer from Chirinos in the fifth, the Blue Jays bounced back with a run of their own. Center fielder Kevin Pillar roped an RBI double, which pulled Toronto within two runs.
Just as the Blue Jays started picking up momentum, they lost it. Josh Donaldson left the game in the fifth inning with a possible concussion. Odor's knee went directly to the head of Donaldson.
Donaldson passed his concussion test after the loss against Texas, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal also reported that Donaldson is expected to play Game 2 on Friday.
The Rangers sent Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 3.60 ERA) to the mound, who exited after five innings pitched. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk. The nine-year veteran struck out just one, but managed to get the win.
"That's what we really needed from him," Banister said. "I think he did a great job."
Toronto immediately gained the momentum back with a huge hit. The outing with the Rangers was made a one-run ball game by slugger Jose Bautista, who hit a moon-shot left center off Keone Kela in the sixth inning for the Blue Jays. It was his first hit of the postseason.
Even though Kela gave up the long ball, the Texas bullpen was solid. Jake Diekman pitched two perfect innings of baseball with one strikeout. Closer Sam Dyson (S, 1) picked up his first save of the postseason on 17 total pitches.
The Rangers helped isolate themselves from the Blue Jays when Odor hit a home run to right, which made it 5-3. The 21-year-old finished 1-for-2 with one RBI and three runs scored. It was an impressive day from the youngster, who is looking to make a name for himself.
As for the Blue Jays, David Price (0-1, 6.43) got the start for Toronto and was knocked around early. It looked like a favorable lineup for the southpaw, but things got ugly in the third inning and never turned around for the better. Price went seven innings, while giving up five runs on five hits and two walks.
"It means a lot to the team to come to Toronto and win that first game against a great pitcher," Chirinos said.
Toronto only managed six hits, none of which came off the stick of Troy Tulowitzki. He was very productive after the trade deadline and the Blue Jays are counting on him to step up in Game 2.
Game 2 will feature Cole Hamels for the Rangers. Meanwhile, he will be opposed by young Marcus Stroman. The 24-year-old has pitched four games this season after returning from a torn left knee ligament and owns a 1.67 ERA.