Blue Jays’ Stroman to start AL wild-card game vs. Orioles

John Gibbons explains why he chose Marcus Stroman as the starter for the AL Wild Card game.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays will send Marcus Stroman to the mound when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the American League wild-card game.

Stroman was one of the Blue Jays’ best pitchers in the 2015 post-season, though he has struggled at times this year and been tagged with the loss in five of his last six starts. He hasn’t won since Aug. 14.

The right-hander posted a record of 9-10 this season with a 4.37 earned-run average.

The Jays decided to go with familiarity instead of taking a chance on lefty Francisco Liriano, even though Baltimore’s powerful lineup has struggled against left-handed pitching this year.

Liriano has posted a 2-2 record with a 2.92 ERA since joining Toronto from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline.

Both starting pitchers are expected to speak at the wild-card press conference at 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon. Watch it live here.

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