Cleveland Indians pitcher Ryan Merritt throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. ( John Sleezer / TNS FILE PHOTO )Cleveland left-hander Ryan Merritt has a simple formula for how he’ll handle the first post-season start of his career Wednesday afternoon. “Just breathe,” he said with a smile after the Indians fell 5-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday. A win would put the Indians into the World Series for the first time since 1997. Asked if he feels any added pressure, Merritt, who hasn’t had much experience pitching at the major league level let alone in the post-season, paused and smiled before answering.

Source: thestar October 19, 2016 13:10 UTC