Indians have faith in young lefty Merritt

TORONTO — Left-hander Ryan Merritt, once a just-in-case option, is now the Indians’ only option for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against an enlivened Blue Jays club. The rookie takes the mound Wednesday in opposition to proven postseason performer Marco Estrada, with a last-minute opportunity to help the Tribe clinch its first AL pennant in 19 years.

It’s a tall order for a wide-eyed pitcher with 11 innings of experience at this level. But the Indians, who couldn’t punch their ticket to the World Series in a 5-1 Game 4 loss Tuesday despite an admirable effort from a short-rested Corey Kluber, arrived here by necessity. Cleveland, which hasn’t lost four games in a row this season, is trying to return to the World Series for the first time since 1997.

• ALCS Game 5: Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on TBS/Sportsnet/RDS

Three-fifths of the Tribe’s rotation is injured, with Trevor Bauer the latest to join Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco in the training room. It was Bauer’s lacerated right pinkie finger, the victim of a drone accident Thursday, which led the Indians to add Merritt, rather than Joseph Colon, to their ALCS roster, with length in mind.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights 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   TOR 5, CLE 1 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

Merritt has logged just 11 innings in his Major League career, which features one start.

“Look what we’re trying to accomplish,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “We’re trying to get to the World Series and this …

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