The Game 1 American League Championship series play is on the Toronto Blue Jays at 8:05 eastern. Toronto is favored to win this series, despite being the road team without home field advantage. Looking at the historical aspect we see that Game 1 home teams in Championship series play in this format are just 31-29 all time, a paltry 51%. Cleveland is 0-8 in game one of a 7 game series and 0-5 of late as a home favorite off a road dog win in their last game. Both teams come in with identical 6 game winning streaks. Cleveland has Kluber going. However he has a 5.34 career Era vs Toronto and has allowed 6 runs in 11 innings in his last 2 home starts vs Toronto. The Jays have Estrada going and he has been on fire allowing 1 or less runs in 4 straight starts. He is 2-0 vs Cleveland allowing just 5 runs in 12 innings against them in his last 2 starts. He has a solid 3.19 road Era this season and has allowed just 2 runs in his last 3 road stats spanning 20 innings, Estrada has been lights out allowing just 2 runs in 15 innings in October starts. Finally to tie in a power system we see that home teams off a road dog win that scored 4 or less runs are 0-6 vs an opponent off a 1 run home favored win scoring 5 or more runs like the Jays. Look for Toronto to take the opener.

BONUS Series play on Toronto. All time teams like Cleveland who finish 5.5 games ahead of their opponents have a 1-8 series record in a 7 game series.