Royals Keep Fighting and Advance to ALCS - Party Like its 1985

Notes on the upcoming Blue Jays - Royals ALCS. Game 1 will be at Kansas City on Friday night at 7:30. The last time these 2 teams played in postseason was the 1985 ALCS.  Keep in mind that in 1985, MLB changed its League Championship Series from a Best-of-Five to a new and improved Best-of-Seven.

The Blue Jays got off to a 3-1 series lead - which every year from the start of divisional play and LCS in 1969 would have put them in the World Series. However, because of the new Best-of-Seven format, the Royals were still alive.

For the Blue Jays, they won both Games 2 and 4 in their final AB when Dan Quisenberry couldn't convert the save in Game 2 in extra innings and in Game 4 Charlie Liebrandt couldn't hold a 1-0 lead going into the 9th as the Jays won 3-1, to take a 3-1 series lead.  For Kansas City that Game 4 loss started an amazing run of fighting off elimination that they continued last night with their 7-2 win in Game 5 of 2015 ALDS, and their 9-6 win in Game 4.

Starting with their 2-0 Game 5 win in the 1985 ALCS, the Royals have are 10-1 when facing elimination.  Here is the breakdown.

Royals when facing elimination - Since Game 5 of 1985 ALCS

1985 ALCS vs Blue Jays down 3-1 in series

Game 5 at KC - Won, 2-0
Game 6 at TOR - Won, 5-3
Game 7 at TOR - Won, 6-2

Won series, 4-3. Totals: W-L Facing Elimination: 3-0

1985 World Series vs Cardinals down 3-1 in series

Game 5 at STL - Won, 6-1
Game 6 at KC - Won, 2-1
Game 7 at KC - Won, 11-0

Won series, 4-3 Totals W-L Facing Elimination: 6-0

2014 AL Wild Card Game vs Oakland

at KC - Won, 9-8

Totals W-L Facing Elimination: 7-0

2014 World Series vs SF Giants down 3-2 in series

Game 6 at KC, Won, 10-0
Game 7 at KC, Lost, 3-2

Lost Series, 4-3 Totals W-L Facing Elimination: 8-1

2015 ALDS vs Astros down 2-1 in series

Game 4 at HOU, Won, 9-6
Game 5 at KC, Won, 7-2

Won Series, 3-2. Totals W-L Facing Elimination: 10-1