Marcus Stroman Blue Jays 2015
The Toronto Blue Jays send starter Marcus Stroman to the mound in Wednesday's first of two Game 5s in the American League Division Series. Getty Images

Both spots in the American League Championship Series are up for grabs on Wednesday, when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals host the Houston Astros in winner-take-all Game-5 matchups.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each game.

Rangers at Blue Jays

World Series-favorite Toronto erased a surprising 0-2 hole with back-to-back victories to force the final game of the division series, and now put the fate of their season in the right arm of young starter Marcus Stroman. The Rangers counter with veteran lefty Cole Hamels, who has a career 3.05 earned run average in the postseason.

Stroman and Hamels pitched in Game 2, which went 14 innings. The 24-year-old Stroman carried a perfect 4-0 record into the playoffs, but picked up a no decision in Game 2 with three earned runs, five hits, and five strikeouts over seven innings.

Looking just a hair sharper, Hamels surrendered only two earned and six hits with six strikeouts over seven innings in Game 2. Despite 13 postseason starts with the Philadelphia Phillies, Hamels has never pitched in a deciding series game.

Start Time: 4:07 p.m. ET

TV Channel: Fox Sports 1

Live Online: Fox Sports Go

Prediction: Blue Jays over Astros, 5-4

Astros at Royals

The seesaw series turns back to Kansas City after the Royals staved off elimination with a 9-6 win in Game 4 on the road, but Houston may have the edge on the mound. Astros righty Collin McHugh, who won Game 1 with four hits and two earned runs scattered over six innings, had his second consecutive strong outing after some uneven showings in September. McHugh has been inconsistent in 2015, but may be hitting his stride late in the season.

McHugh will square off against the Royals Johnny Cueto, who has faltered late in the season. Still seeking the first postseason win of his career, Cueto allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings in Game 2. The hard throwing right-hander, who arrived at the trade deadline after an impressive first half with the Cincinnati Reds, has been a disappointment with the Royals. He struggled in September (6.11 ERA in six starts), and had a 3.86 ERA in August.

Start Time: 8:07 p.m. ET

TV Channel: Fox Sports 1

Live Online: Fox Sports Go

Prediction: Astros over Royals, 7-5