The expectation was that postseason veteran David Price, the prize acquisition from the July 31 Trade Deadline, would get the call with a chance at redemption against a Texas lineup that beat him in Game 1. But once Price ran out of the bullpen and took the ball in relief in Game 4, tossing 50 pitches in three innings of Toronto's 8-4 win, he was out of the mix for the Game 5 start.
It was a nod to Price, no doubt, in a game the Blue Jays needed to win to force a decisive Game 5 in the first place, but it was also a nod to Stroman, who took a no-decision in Game 2 at Rogers Centre with seven-plus innings and four runs (three earned).