Tito knows not to celebrate 3-0 ALCS lead

TORONTO — Don’t even think of telling Indians manager Terry Francona that this thing is over. Don’t imply it. Don’t think it. Don’t breathe it.

He’s one of the few men on the planet who can look across the diamond at the Toronto Blue Jays and understand they still have hope.

• ALCS Game 4: Today at 4 p.m. ET on TBS/Sportsnet/RDS

Francona is an affable man, one of the nicest in baseball. If you spend five minutes with him, he’ll convince you those are the best five minutes of his day.

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 14   CLE 2, TOR 0 Gm 2 Oct. 15   CLE 2, TOR 1 Gm 3 Oct. 17   CLE 4, TOR 2 Gm 4 Oct. 18 4 p.m. CLE @ TOR TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 5 Oct. 19 4 p.m. CLE@ TOR TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 6 Oct. 21 8 p.m. TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS *Gm 7 Oct. 22 TBD TOR @ CLE TBS/SNET/RDS * If necessary | All times listed ET  • ALCS coverageShop for postseason gear: Blue Jays | Indians

But there are places you don’t go. As he said before this American League Championship Series began, “You have to win four games. You don’t have to win all the games.”

You do have to win four. That’s not negotiable. This is a critical point to remember.

That’s why there wasn’t even a hint of a celebration in the visitors’ clubhouse at Rogers Centre after the Indians defeated the Blue Jays, 4-2, on Monday night. The Indians lead the best-of-seven ALCS, 3-0, and can wrap up their first pennant in 19 years by winning Game 4 on Tuesday.

• Cleveland expects full ‘pen for Game 4

However …

There’s no cigar for coming close. No consolation prize. As Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar said, “We still have an opportunity.”

Francona will not mention this to his players. They know. They know he knows.

Some of them may know that the experience is personal. History says the Blue Jays face a nearly insurmountable …

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