CLEVELAND -- The last two teams standing in the American League overcame plenty of obstacles to reach the AL Championship Series, but the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians are both playing as well now as they have all season.Two good teams. Two hot teams. It should be a good matchup, said Toronto manager John Gibbons.The two teams who will meet in Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday night at Progressive Field have not yet tasted defeat in the postseason. In the two division series, Cleveland swept Boston in three games and Toronto swept Texas in three games.It was a battle to get in, but weve been swinging it well in the last week, said Gibbons, whose team had a losing record (11-16) in September, and needed a walk-off home run in the 11th inning to beat Baltimore in the wildcard game.Clevelands 16-11 September record was the reverse of Torontos, but the Indians hardships came during the regular season. Their best hitter, Michael Brantley, missed virtually the entire season with a shoulder injury. Starting catcher Yan Gomes missed 2 1/2 months with a separated shoulder, and the Nos. 2 and 3 starters in their rotation, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, suffered season-ending injuries in September.They took a couple of big blows, a couple of big injuries, and they just kept on trucking, Gibbons said.Losing two starters like that late is tough, but I think we have enough good players to win. Weve just got to play good baseball, Indians manager Terry Francona said.The Indians, however, still have their No.1 starter, Corey Kluber, rested and ready to start Game 1. Kluber, a Cy Young Award candidate, was 18-9 with a 3.14 ERA in the regular season. He pitched seven scoreless innings on three hits in a 6-0 win over the Red Sox in Game 2 of the Division Series.We expect him to be good and stingy, said Gibbons. You never enjoy facing him, thats for sure.Kluber has struggled in his career vs. Toronto. In one start against the Blue Jays this year he gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in what became a 17-1 loss. In five career starts against the Blue Jays Kluber is 1/3 with a 5.34 ERA.Gibbons has no explanation for his teams success against Kluber. Theres a lot of things that happen in this game that you dont know why, he said.Marco Estrada, Torontos Game 1 starter, was 9-9 with a 3.48 ERA in the regular season, but he came up big in Game 1 of the Division Series vs. Texas. Estrada allowed one run on four hits in 8 1/3 innings in a 10-1 Blue Jays victory. In one start against Cleveland this year Estrada got the win in a 9-6 Toronto victory, pitching five innings and allowing three runs on four hits.Estrada said hes hopeful the Blue Jays can use the momentum they gained during the sweep of Texas in the Division Series to good advantage in the ALCS.Its all about timing. Thats usually the way it works, he said. The best team doesnt always win, but I think the hottest team is usually the one that takes it all.Francona knows his pitching staff faces a big challenge in trying to control Torontos power-packed lineup.You dont run down the hall to face their hitters, Francona said.They have a solid lineup, one through nine, said Kluber. They are all good hitters, with a lot of power, but theyre also patient. So youve got to execute your pitches. There is no magic formula. Wholesale China Jerseys . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. China Jerseys . LOUIS -- St. http://www.cheapjerseysdiscount.com/ . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Stitched NFL Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Cheap Throwback Jerseys . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. The Panthers not only disappointed folks in the Carolinas with their Super Bowl performance in February, they also let down Pro Picks. With a chance for a winning record for the 2015 season, we went with Cam Newton and Co. over the Broncos. So we got run over by Von Miller, too.Now here we go again: Panthers vs. Broncos to open the 2016 schedule Thursday night. And call us stubborn, stupid or whatever, were right back on the Panthers (No. 1 in AP Pro32), who are 1-point favorites.Heres why.While Denvers defense still will approach all-world, the offense is in the hands of an untested second-year quarterback, Trevor Siemian. Against Carolinas solid D featuring as good a set of linebackers as the NFL has, the Broncos (No. 6 AP Pro32) arent likely to find the end zone much.Nor will the Panthers, but Cam Newton, last years MVP, believes he has a lot to prove after that mediocre Super Bowl. Prove it he will in the kickoff game.PANTHERS, 21-16---KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIPPro Picks struggled throughout 2015 with such selections. With a fresh start, the choice is KANSAS CITY.No. 25 Miami (plus 7) at No. 4 SeattleSeahawks looking to avoid slow starts that sometimes plague them. Good chance here.BEST BET: SEAHAWKS 24, DOLPHINS 10No. 17 New York Giants (plus 3 1-2) at No. 22 DallasSomeone explain this Romo-less line to us. Two also-rans from last year, but Giants are improved on D.UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS, 20-13No. 5 New England (plus 5) at No. 2 ArizonaSo if Jimmy G goes 4-0 as Bradys replacement, does Tom Terrific become a backup?PATRIOTS, 23-20No. 30 San Diego (plus 6 1-2) at No. 8 (tie) Kansas CityA healthy Chiefs team will be a tough out all season. But KC isnt real healthy now. Still ...CHIEFS, 26-16No. 3 Green Bay (minus 4 1-2) at No. 18 JacksonvilleLots of foolks like the Jaguars promise.dddddddddddd Packers delay any fulfillment of it.PACKERS, 27-24No. 7 Pittsburgh (minus 3) at No. 11 Washington, Monday nightCould be a fun shootout in prime time. Steelers have more weapons.STEELERS, 33-28No. 21 Buffalo (plus 2 1-2) at No. 14 BaltimoreRexs banged-up defense still shows some improvement.BILLS, 17-16No. 20 Tampa Bay (plus 3) at No. 19 AtlantaIt wont be Atlantans doing tomahawk chop Sunday, it will be former Seminole Jameis Winston.BUCCANEERS, 27-20No. 29 Chicago (plus 5) at No. 12 HoustonTexans have their QB in Osweiler, but will they have an effective J.J. Watt?TEXANS, 20-13No. 13 Oakland (plus 2) at No. 24 New OrleansBig Easy has become too easy a place for visiting teams to win.RAIDERS, 30-27No. 8 (tie) Cincinnati (minus 1) at No. 15 New York JetsIts not a playoff game, so Cincinnati isnt the Bungles yet.BENGALS, 19-16No. 10 Minnesota (minus 3 1-2) at No. 27 TennesseeHill or Bradford? Tempted to take Titans. But Adrian Peterson swings the pick.VIKINGS, 20-17No. 23 Detroit (plus 5) at No. 16 IndianapolisNot expecting much out of either team this season.LIONS, 22-21No. 26 Los Angeles (minus 2) at No. 31 San Francisco, Monday nightIf Rams are to make any noise in first year back in Hollywood, they need big opening scene.RAMS, 19-16No. 32 Cleveland (plus 4) at No. 28 PhiladelphiaA mismatch in the NBA and MLB, but almost a toss-up in NFL.EAGLES, 14-13---2015 RECORD: Against spread (126-126-7). Straight up:(162-105)Best Bet: 8-10-1 against spread, 11-8 straight up.Upset special: 9-9 against spread, 6-12 straight up.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '