A most unlikely pitching performance helped put a most unexpected team into the World Series.
Rookie Ryan Merritt coolly delivered a lead to the Andrew Miller-led bullpen and the Cleveland Indians won their first pennant since 1997, blanking Toronto 3-0 Wednesday in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.
Cleveland, which has never hosted a World Series opener, will play game one at Progressive Field on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT) against either the Chicago Cubs or Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manager Terry Francona's team will try to boost what's already been a magical year in Cleveland after LeBron James and the Cavaliers earned the city's first sports championship since 1964, winning the NBA championship.
The Indians' title drought dates to 1948.
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Miller, acquired from the New York Yankees in a mid-season trade, wound up as the ALCS MVP as the Indians took their sixth pennant.
With just 11 major league innings under his belt, Merritt took the mound and looked just like a seasoned veteran.
The 24-year-old lefty retired the first 10 batters and allowed only two hits before being pulled after 4-1/3 innings.
"I know they were counting on me," Merritt said.
"Before the game, they came and told me they had my back, everybody had my back, good or bad.
"So that takes some pressure off, and I just went out there and pitched and trusted my team."
Merritt got taps on his heart and hat from teammates when he left the mound as Cleveland's tireless relievers to held a three-run lead against the wildcard Blue Jays.
