Blue Jays' Stroman gets Game 2 start in ALDS

Marcus Stroman, who wasn't supposed to pitch this season, will make the most important start of his young career Friday when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers for Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

The 24-year-old improbably rejoined the Blue Jays in September, just six months after tearing the ACL in his left knee, and proceeded to author a 1.67 ERA with a 64.1 percent ground-ball rate across four starts. Stroman, the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 draft, will take the mound opposite veteran left-hander Cole Hamels on Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

Since making his MLB debut last May, the diminutive right-hander has crafted a 3.31 ERA (116 ERA+) with a 1.14 WHIP while fashioning a 3.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 157 2/3 innings.

Stroman will take the mound less than 24 hours after former Cy Young Award winner David Price opposes veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo in the series opener.

The Blue Jays later announced the rest of their starting rotation through Monday, with Marco Estrada and R.A. Dickey slated to pitch in Texas for Games 3 and 4, respectively.