3 keys for Blue Jays in ALCS vs. Indians

TORONTO — The Blue Jays are back in the American League Championship Series for the second time in as many years, but this time, they’re here to finish what they started.

Toronto took the baseball world by storm last season when a series of blockbuster trades turned an under-.500 team into a division leader within a matter of weeks. A deep run into the postseason was not expected, so just being there seemed more important than anything else. But that’s not the case anymore, as Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday night at Progressive Field (8 p.m. ET on TBS and, in Canada, Sportsnet and RDS) draws closer.

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 14 8 p.m. TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS Gm 2 Oct. 15 TBD TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS Gm 3 Oct. 17 TBD CLE@ TOR TBS/SNET/RDS Gm 4 Oct. 18 TBD CLE @ TOR TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 5 Oct. 19 TBD CLE@ TOR TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 6 Oct. 21 TBD TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 7 Oct. 22 TBD TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS *- If necessary | All times listed ET  • Complete postseason coverageShop for postseason gear: Blue Jays | Indians

There’s a “been there, done that” feel to this Blue Jays team. The Indians are standing in their way, but anything less than a trip to the World Series would be considered a disappointment, and this group of veterans intends to get there.

Here’s a closer look at three keys to success that will help determine whether Toronto can get the job done.

1. The long ball It’s pretty simple — when the Blue Jays homer, they usually win. When they don’t, runs come at a premium and wins are scarce. Toronto went 80-39 when hitting at least one home run this season, compared to 9-34 when the …

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