Rangers vs. Blue Jays: Keys for Each Team to Win ALDS Game 3

Don't think for a second that Game 3 of the American League Division Series is a must-win only for the Toronto Blue Jays.

For while the Blue Jays are on the brink of extinction and need a victory to stay alive, the Texas Rangers can ill afford to give their opponents any momentum—or David Price (potentially) a chance for redemption in Game 4.

Sure, winning the series in three games could hinder Texas' momentum, as the other ALDS between Houston and Kansas City is tied at one game apiece and assured of at least a Game 4. But it would also give Adrian Beltre's balky back extra time to recover, the benefits of which can't be overstated.

Nor can we overemphasize the importance of delivering on these keys to success for each club when a pivotal Game 3 gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET Sunday night.

Both Teams Must Keep Emotions in Check

After a contentious Game 2, it's clear the Blue Jays and Rangers don't particularly care for each other.

There was the Josh Donaldson/Keone Kela incident, stemming from Donaldson's issue with the Texas reliever quick-pitching him (there's no rule against it, by the way), which resulted in the clearing of both benches and bullpens Friday.

Not to be outdone, Derek Holland, who is slated to start Game 4 (if needed) for the Rangers, turned a Toronto rally towel that had fallen into the Texas bullpen during the 14-inning contest into toilet paper before throwing it back on the ground.

But with so much on the line, neither side can afford to let emotion get in the way of production. Cooler heads must prevail.

Blue Jays Must Do What They Do Better Than Anyone Else

Crush left-handed pitching. 

Toronto's .818 OPS and 124 wRC+ were the top marks in baseball against southpaws, and it just so happens the pitcher the Blue Jays will be facing, Martin Perez, is left-handed. Not only is Perez a lefty, but he's a lefty who doesn't fare too well against right-handed batters.

Stat	Perez	MLB Rank (Of 134 Ps with min 60 IP)
BA	.300	127
OBP	.352	122
SLG	.425	90
ERA	4.82	113

None of this is to say that Perez is a bad pitcher or someone who is incapable of finding success against the Toronto lineup.

But the heart of the Blue Jays' order—the right-handed bats of Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki, who have gone a combined 5-for-35—couldn't ask for a better chance to break out of its collective funk.

Struggling Rangers Bats Must Take Advantage of Hitting at Home

On average, players are more productive at home than on the road.

Venue	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	wRC+
Away	.249	.310	.394	.704	92
Home	.260	.324	.415	.740	101

That's not surprising, as most players prefer the comfort of home to the rigors of the road. Just look at the away records of this year's postseason teams if you need further proof.

Three teams whose World Series aspirations are still alive posted losing records on the road: Houston (33-48), Los Angeles (37-44) and Toronto (40-41). A fourth, New York, finished one game above .500 (41-40) away from Citi Field.

Five players in the middle of the Rangers' order are hitting .125 or worse in the ALDS, but a return home might be just what they need to get going.

Player	BA (Home)	BA (Away)	SLG (Home)	SLG (Away)	OPS (Home)	OPS (Away)	wRC+ (Home)	wRC+ (Away)
Elvis Andrus	.274	.243	.402	.313	.737	.596	91	62
Shin-Soo Choo	.317	.237	.519	.411	.932	.749	147	108
Prince Fielder	.309	.301	.450	.477	.822	.861	113	135
Josh Hamilton	.261	.244	.543	.321	.850	.592	116	61
Mitch Moreland	.250	.308	.414	.555	.733	.898	89	144

Elvis Andrus, Shin-Soo Choo and Josh Hamilton have all gotten a massive boost from their home park, with Hamilton's perhaps the most extreme. Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland should have been productive at Rogers Centre, but they weren't. Perhaps they'll continue to belie the splits and start hitting at home.

Unless otherwise noted/linked, all statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.

Hit me up on Twitter to talk playoff baseball: @RickWeinerBR.