ALDS Game 3: Postseason newbie Perez, Estrada face off Sunday night

LHP Martin Perez (3-6, 4.46): Perez will make his 15th start this season and first career postseason start. Perez returned to the mound in July after missing 14 months because of Tommy John surgery. He’s been better than his numbers would suggest, especially of late. Only three of his 14 starts have been poor, including an eight-run meltdown in his third start July 28. He’s also turned in brilliant starts. He retired the first 25 Giants in a start on Aug. 2 and finished with a two-hitter in 8  1/3 innings. Perez watched closely how Yovani Gallardo and Cole Hamels pitched to the big hitters in the Blue Jays’ lineup.

“I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m ready,” he said. “I have my plan for [Sunday.] Attack, that’s the key. Focus down in the zone and throw the pitches where I want to.”

RHP Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13): He had his best season as a pro with a career-high 181 innings. He’s prone to giving up homers, however, allowing 24 this season and a league-high 29 in 2014. He’s ninth in the majors in hits and walks allowed per inning (1.044) and has one of the best changeups in the league, which deceives most hitters. Like Perez, he’s making his first postseason start but threw six innings of relief in four games for the Brewers in the 2011 NLDS, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks.

This story was originally published October 10, 2015 at 4:41 PM with the headline "ALDS Game 3: Postseason newbie Perez, Estrada face off Sunday night."