A few comments from Toronto manager John Gibbons' press conference

TORONTO - When the Orioles played the Blue Jays in Toronto last week, the Orioles took two of three and outscored the Blue Jays 8-7. But these teams have also played some shootouts over the years, too. In a four-game series in Toronto in June the Blue Jays outscored the Orioles 30-24.

Who knows what kind of game we'll see tonight when Chris Tillman (16-6, 3.77 ERA) faces right-hander Marcus Stroman (9-10, 4.37 ERA) in the American League wild card game.

During his press conference this afternoon, Toronto manager John Gibbons was asked if there are one or two hitters in the O's lineup that he feels he just can't let that hitter beat his team tonight.

"You know what, they've got such a good hitting team it is tough to pick out anybody," Gibbons said. "You look to see who is hot and maybe as the game goes on who is swinging the bat particularly well that night.

"Normally, when you play teams that are strong top to bottom, there are not many holes and you end up putting guys on (by pitching around them) and the next thing you know you get burned. Next thing you know somebody pops one.

"There is a time and a place for making a guy hit their pitch and our guys know that and know who we'll approach (that way). But I can't jump out and tell you that you can't let a specific guy beat you because you know what, the guys hitting behind those guys are pretty damn good."

Gibbons was asked how important it would be for his team to get an early lead and try to keep the talented late-inning O's relievers out of the game, or at least not able to come in to protect a lead.

"Yes, ideally," he said. "Because they do have, arguably the best bullpen in baseball. We've seen them all year over 19 games. That is always your thought - get some runs early and keep those guys out of the game. They could be in the game anyway, in a close game.

"They have some real good power right-handers and we're a right-handed hitting team. It sets up nicely for those guys over there. But a few runs early is ideal, no doubt about it."

In the series last week in Toronto, the O's bullpen recorded 7 2/3 scoreless innings. Over their last 19 games, the O's 'pen has a 1.14 ERA.

Stroman, tonight's Blue Jays starter, is known to be a fiery and emotional pitcher. He will fist pump and more when he gets big outs. It can rub opponent hitters the wrong way. Does Gibbons worry about Stroman trying to control those emotions tonight?

"No, I don't worry about that," Gibbons said. "I've always seen him good in those big situations and that is one of the reasons he's out there tonight. He's a very confident guy. Everyone his whole life has told him he can't do something because of his (5-foot-8) size. So without any confidence, he's not here. We don't know how it is going to turn out of course, but he thinks he's the guy to pitch these games and he's done it before."

Stroman went 0-5 in September but with a 3.41 ERA. In four starts versus the Orioles this year, he is 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA. In seven career games (six starts) against the Orioles he is 2-3 with a 5.27 ERA.

So tonight these AL East division rivals play in this one-and-done format. One will advance to face Texas in the American League Division Series and one team's season will be over.

"The format is difficult, one game to see what happens, but I think it's good for baseball," Gibbons said. "The idea is to win the division. But we've said it many times, we know these guys so well and they know us. It's going to come down who is on that night. Who makes the big pitch and gets the big hit."

Toronto went 10-9 in the season series and that one-game edge is why this game is in Toronto tonight. During those 19 games, Toronto outscored the Orioles 97 to 81. The Blue Jays hit one more homer in the season series, 29 to 28. But the Orioles won three of the last four games played at Rogers Centre, holding Toronto to nine runs.

"But we are two very similar teams," Gibbons said. "Both teams are power-laden - that is how they win. That is how our division is. So we'll see how it all shakes out."