Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons talks during a news conference before Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, in Kansas City, Mo.Orlin Wagner/The Associated Press
It was put to John Gibbons that it almost defies description the tightrope his Toronto Blue Jays have so far been able to successfully traverse during the 2015 Major League Baseball playoffs.
Four times the Blue Jays have been involved in elimination playoff games through the first two rounds of the post-season and four times the team has been able to find success to play another day.
"Great managing," Gibbons said with a broad smile.
Gibbons was speaking with reporters here at Kauffman Stadium on Friday afternoon, several hours before the Blue Jays will face the Kansas City Royals in another pressure-packed must-win scenario.
The Royals hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series and need just one more win to advance into the World Series that will begin on Tuesday against the New York Mets.
A Toronto victory will force a Game 7 to be played in K.C. on Saturday night.
"I think that it shows they don't fold, they're scared of nothing," Gibbons said of the intestinal fortitude his team has displayed time and time again this post-season.
Gibbons said his players understand the magnitude of the moment and have been able to respond in a positive fashion.
He said that was clearly evident on Game 5 in Toronto on Wednesday when, needing yet another win to stay alive, the Blue Jays came through with a thoroughly convincing 7-1 victory to send the series back to K.C.
"To be honest I feel very confident today," Gibbons said. "In a weird way some things are kind of lining up. Our backs against the wall big time but you see some signs of some good things. The game the other night was a perfect example, really a dominating game when you had to have it.
"In a lot of ways, the pressure's definitely on you but the pressure's off you too when you fall behind because nobody expects you to do anything. The odds are against you, history's proved that, what have you. So in a lot of ways, I think some of the mindset, 'Hey, nobody expects you to do anything anyway so let's just go out and do it."
Gibbons said he expects Price, Friday night's starter, will pitch to his capabilities and that the Blue Jays will respond with a win.
"I think David's going to be really good tonight," he said.