The Toronto Blue Jays' margin for error is gone. After dropping the first two games of the American League Championship Series in Seattle, Toronto comes home needing a win in Game 3 on Wednesday to keep the pennant race from slipping away.
Manager John Schneider hands the ball to rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage, whose rapid rise from the minors to a postseason rotation spot has been one of the stories of Toronto's run. Seattle counters with George Kirby.
The Mariners have controlled the series so far, and Toronto's bats — the engine of its season — must find their timing against a Seattle staff that has kept the middle of the order quiet.
History offers both warning and hope: teams down 2-0 in a best-of-seven usually lose, but the home crowd at the Rogers Centre has fuelled comebacks before, and a Game 3 win changes the arithmetic of the whole week.
First pitch Wednesday will tell whether this becomes a long series or a short one. For Blue Jays fans, the assignment is simple and loud: make home field count.
