By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
First things first

Andrew Miller is not one part Tug McGraw and part John Franco.

He’s not a young Billy Wagner combined with Hall of Famer Sparky Lyle’s extra-long workdays.

Yet the Cleveland Indians lefty reliever is, as Larry David would say “Pretty good. Pretttttttty, pretttttttttty, pretttttty good.”

The Blue Jays have seen Miller three times this season and have managed ... two singles and 12 whiffs in 16 at-bats.

Going back and dusting off the books -- well actually the Baseball-Reference pages -- we have found that the Jays actually do have an extra-base hit off Miller.

It was a home run by Edwin Encarnacion when Miller was closing for the New York Yankees in 2015.

Now, as the best-of-seven American League Championship Series moved into Rogers Centre -- with the Indians fans bringing brooms -- for Game 4 on Tuesday afternoon and maybe Game 5 on Wednesday, the Jays have two choices:

A) Get an early lead so it never becomes Miller Time for manager Terry Francona.

B) Learn how to hit Miller.

Pick your poison.

Going back to opening day 2014 with the Boston Red Sox and including Miller’s time with the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees and Cleveland he has a 1.52 ERA facing Jays hitters allowing four runs on 12 hits in 23 2/3 innings, while striking out 43 of 88 hitters.

The Jays last homer against Miller was 24 batters ago when Encarnacion homered in the 10th inning on Sept. 22, 2015 at the Rogers. Dioner Navarro went deep seven hitters earlier in the ninth forcing extras. It was a day Miller got the blown save and then the win.

And before that Jose Bautista homered July 23, 2014 when Miller was wearing a Red Sox uniform.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos attempted to sign free agent Miller after the 2014 season when the Jays were chasing Russell Martin. As an Oriole in 2014 Miller told us he was probably going to sign with an AL East team since the Gainsville, Fla. native likened the AL East to SEC football. He has enjoyed his time in the AL Central too.

Let’s take a look at how the Blue Jays hitters have fared against the 6-foot-7 Miller.

Oct. 17, 2016
Game 3 ALCS
Rogers Centre, two out
Russell Martin struck out swinging 1-2 pitch.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 4 pitches, 3 strikes, batters faced 1, strikeouts 1, Score Indians 4, Jays 2.

Ninth inning
Navarro singles to right, 2-2 pitch
Pillar struck out swinging, 0-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Carrera, Upton struck out on 2-2 pitch
Barney grounds out to second on 1-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 17 pitches 12 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 2, Score Indians 4, Jays 2.
Total: 0 runs, 0 hits, 1.1 innings, 21 pitches 15 strikes, batters faced 5, strikeouts 3.

Game 2, Oct. 15, 2016 ALCS
Progressive Field
Seventh inning
Russell Martin strikes out swinging on 2-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Michael Saunders, Melvin Upton strikes out swinging at a 2-2 pitch
Kevin Pillar strikes out swinging on 0-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 15 pitches 11 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 3, Score Indians 2, Jays 1.
Total: 0 runs, 0 hits, 2.1 innings, 36 pitches 26 strikes, batters faced 12, strikeouts 8.

Eighth inning
Darwin Barney, strikes out swinging on 2-2 pitch
Ezequiel Carrera, grounds out, first pitch
Josh Donaldson, strikes out swinging on 0-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 9 pitches 7 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 2, Score Indians 2, Jays 1. Miller H (2).
Total: 0 runs, 0 hits, 3.1 innings, 45 pitches 35 strikes, batters faced 15, strikeouts 10.

Game 1, Oct. 14, 2016 ALCS
Progressive Field
Seventh inning, one out
Barney strikes out swinging on 0-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Carrera, Upton strikes out looking at 2-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 9 pitches 6 strikes, batters faced 2, strikeouts 2, Jays 0, Indians 2.
Total: 0 runs, 0 hits, 4 innings, 54 pitches 41 strikes, batters faced 17, strikeouts 12.

Eighth inning
Donaldson singles to centre, 0-2 pitch
Encarnacion strikes out looking, 2-2 pitch
Bautista strikes out swinging, 3-2 pitch
Martin strikes out swinging, 2-2 pitch.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB, 22 pitches 15 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 3. Jays 0, Indians 2. Miller H (1).
Total: 0 runs, 1 hit, 5 innings, 76 pitches 56 strikes, batters faced 21, strikeouts 15.

April 12, 2016
Rogers Centre
Ninth inning
Saunders strikes out looking on 2-2 pitch
Martin grounds out to third on 1-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Ryan Goins, Justin Smoak strikes out swinging on 0-2 pitch.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 12 pitches 9 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 2. Yankees 3, Jays 2. Miller (2).
Total: 0 runs, 1 hit, 6 innings, 88 pitches, 65 strikes, batters faced 24, strikeouts 17.

Sept. 22, 2015
Rogers Centre
Ninth inning
Smoak strikes out swinging, 2-2 pitch.
Navarro hits line drive homer to deep left on first pitch
Pinch hitting for Goins, Chris Colabello strikes out looking, 0-2 pitch
Pillar doubles to right, 1-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Munenori Kawasaki, Matt Hague given an intentional Walk
Pinch hitting for Ben Revere, Martin walks, 3-2 pitch.
Donaldson strikes out, 1-2 pitch.
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB. 28 pitches 18 strikes, batters faced 7, strikeouts 3. Yankees 3, Jays 3.
Total: 1 runs, 3 hits, 7 innings, 116 pitches, 83 strikes, batters faced 31, strikeouts 20.

Tenth inning
Bautista grounds out, 3-2 pitch.
Encarnacion homers to deep left, 1-1 pitch
Smoak strikes out swinging, 1-2 pitch
Navarro flies out to centre, 1-1 pitch.
1 run, 1 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 14 pitches 10 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 1. Yankees 6, Jays 4. Yankees 3, Jays 3. Miller BS (2), W (3-2).
Total: 2 runs, 4 hits, 8 innings, 130 pitches, 93 strikes, batters faced 35, strikeouts 21.

Sept. 12, 2015
Yankee Stadium
Ninth inning
Navarro pops up a foul ball by first base, first pitch.
Goins strikes out looking, 3-2 pitch.
Pillar strikes out swinging, 2-2 pitch.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 14 pitches 8 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 2. Jays 5, Yankees 5.
Total: 2 runs, 4 hits, 9 innings, 144 pitches, 101 strikes, batters faced 38, strikeouts 23.

10th inning
Revere grounds out to second on 1-1 pitch
Donaldson strikes out, 2-2 pitch
Bautista strikes out, 1-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 12 pitches, 8 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 2. Jays 5, Yankees 5.
Total: 2 runs, 4 hits, 10 innings, 156 pitches, 109 strikes, batters faced 41, strikeouts 25.

Aug. 14, 2015
At Rogers Centre
Ninth inning
Martin flies to left, 0-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Goins, Colabello walks, 3-2 pitch
Pillar single to centre, 0-1 pitch
Revere strikes out swinging, 1-2 pitch
Tulowitzki strikes out swinging, 3-2 pitch
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB. 27 pitches, 20 strikes, batters faced 5, strikeouts 2. Yankees 4, Jays 3. Miller-S (26).
Total: 2 runs, 5 hits, 11 innings, 183 pitches, 129 strikes, batters faced 46, strikeouts 27.

Aug. 7, 2015
Ninth inning
Yankeee Stadium
Colabello singles on first pitch
Pillar successfully bunted on first pitch
Revere grounded out, 1-0 pitch
Tulowitzki lines out, 1-1 pitch.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 9 pitches, 7 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 0. Jays 1, Yankees 1.
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 12 innings, 192 pitches, 136 strikes, batters faced 50, strikeouts 27.

May 9, 2015
Ninth inning
Rogers Centre, two out
Bautista walks on 3-2 pitch
Devon Travis flies out on 1-1 pitch.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB by Miller. 9 pitches, 4 strikes, batters faced 2, strikeouts 0. Yankees 6, Jays 3. Miller-S (11)
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 12.1 innings, 201 pitches 140 strikes, batters faced 50, strikeouts 27.

April 8, 2015
Ninth inning
Yankee Stadium
Danny Valencia grounds out, 1-2 pitch
Travis strikes out swinging, 1-2 pitch
Jose Reyes grounds out first pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 11 pitches, 9 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 1. Jays 3, Yankees 4. Miller-S (1).
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 13.1 innings, 212 pitches 149 strikes, batters faced 53, strikeouts 28.

Sept. 28, 2014
Rogers Centre
Seventh inning, one out
Steve Tolleson strikes out swinging on 0-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Anthony Gose, Pillar grounds out on 0-1 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 7 pitches, 6 strikes, batters faced 2, strikeouts 1. Orioles 1, Blue Jays 0. Miller H (22).
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 14 innings, 219 pitches 155 strikes, batters faced 55, strikeouts 29.

Sept. 26, 2014
Rogers Centre
Seventh inning, one out
John Mayberry walks on 3-1 pitch
Navarro lines out on 1-1 pitch
Dalton Pompey strikes out on 1-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 12 pitches, 7 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 1. Orioles 2, Jays 4.
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 15 innings, 231 pitches 161 strikes, batters faced 58, strikeouts 30.

Sept. 16, 2014
Camden Yards
Eighth inning, one out
Tolleson strikes out, 2-2 pitch
Navarro strikes out swinging, 1-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 9 pitches, 6 strikes, batters faced 2, strikeouts 2. Jays 2, Orioles 7.
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 15.2 innings, 240 pitches 167 strikes, batters faced 60, strikeouts 32.

Aug. 7, 2014
Rogers Centre
Seventh
Colby Ramus flew out on 1-1 pitch
Goins struck out looking at 0-2 pitch
Gose struck out swinging, 1-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 11 pitches, 8 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 2. Jays 2, Orioles 7. Miller H (16).
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 16.2 innings, 251 pitches 175 strikes, batters faced 63, strikeouts 34.

Aug. 5, 2014
Rogers Centre
Eighth inning
Juan Francisco struck out swinging 0-2 pitch
Valencia walks on 3-1 pitch
Rasmus strikes out looking at 3-2 pitch
Nolan Reimold walks on 3-1 pitch
Goins grounds out, 0-2 pitch.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB, 24 pitches, 15 strikes, batters faced 5, strikeouts 2. Orioles 9, Jays 3.
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 17.2 innings, 275 pitches 190 strikes, batters faced 68, strikeouts 36

July 30, 2014
Fenway Park
Seventh inning

Reimold struck out looking, 1-2 pitch
Rasmus struck out swinging 1-2 count
Pinch hitting for Munenori Kawasaki, Valencia struck out swinging, 1-2 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 14 pitches, 10 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 3. Jays 6, Red Sox 1.
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 18.2 innings, 289 pitches 200 strikes, batters faced 71, strikeouts 39.

July 29, 2014
Eighth inning

Valencia flies out on first pitch
Rasmus strikes out looking at 2-2 pitch
Pinch hitting for Kawasaki, Tolleson grounds out on 1-1 pitch
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 9 pitches, 6 strikes, batters faced 3, strikeouts 1. Jays 3, Red Sox 1.
Total: 2 runs, 6 hits, 19.2 innings, 298 pitches 206 strikes, batters faced 74, strikeouts 40.

July 23, 2014
Rogers Centre
Seventh
Bautista homers on first pitch to deep left centre
Navarro grounds out on 1-1 pitch.
Rasmus strikes out swinging on 0-2 count
Kawasaki strikes out swinging, 0-2 pitch
1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB. 14 pitches, 11 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 2. Red Sox 4, Jays 6.
Total: 3 runs, 7 hits, 20.2 innings, 312 pitches 217 strikes, batters faced 78, strikeouts 42.

May 21, 2014
Fenway Park
Eighth inning
Melky Cabrera strikes out, 1-2 pitch
Bautista walks on 3-1 count
Pinch hitting for Adam Lind, Erik Kratz strikes out swinging on 1-2 pitch
Encarnacion ground ball forces Bautista at second, 1-2 pitch.
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 18 pitches, 12 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 2. Jays 6, Red Sox 1.
Total: 3 runs, 7 hits, 21.2 innings, 330 pitches 229 strikes, batters faced 82, strikeouts 44.

April 27, 2014
Rogers Centre
Eighth
Jonathan Diaz grounds out on 0-1 pitch
Reyes singled on 0-1 pitch
Cabrera singled to right on 0-1 pitch
Bautista singled on 1-1 pitch to left, knocking in Reyes
Miller removed for Burke Badenhop
1 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB against Miller. 12 pitches, 10 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 0. Jays 4, Red Sox 1.
Total: 4 runs, 10 hits, 22.2 innings, 342 pitches 239 strikes, batters faced 86, strikeouts 44.

April 25, 2014
Rogers Centre
Encarnacion strikes out looking on 1-2 pitch
Navarro singles on 2-1 pitch
Francisco whiffs on 2-2 pitch
Brett Lawrie pops up on 2-1 pitch
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 19 pitches, 12 strikes, batters faced 4, strikeouts 2. Red Sox 8, Jays 1.
Total: 4 runs, 12 hits, 23.2 innings, 361 pitches 251 strikes, batters faced 90, strikeouts 46.

First appearance vs. Toronto
Sept. 26, 2006
Comerica Park
Seventh inning
Lind walks on 3-2 pitch
John Hattig grounded out on a 3-2 pitch
Joel Zumaya replaces Miller pitching
After a walk Frank Catalanotto singles in Hattig and a passed ball cut the Tigers lead to 4-3.
1 runs, 0 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB. 12 pitches, 6 strikes, batters faced 2, strikeouts 0. Jays 3, Tigers 4.

Lifetime vs. the Jays
Split W-L W-L% ERA G GS GF CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB IBB SO HBP BK WP BF WHIP SO9 SO/W
Blue Jays 3-1 .750 4.11 30 1 6 0 0 4 30.2 22 15 14 6 14 1 42 0 0 2 126 1.174 12.3 3.00

Blue Jays home runs against Miller
(Baseball-reference)
Date Batter @Bat Score Inn Out RoB Pit(cnt) R BOP Pos bWPA bWE Notes Play Description
2011-09-08 J.P. Arencibia TOR BOS ahead 1-0 b 2 0 12- 7,(3-2) 3 8 2 14% 88% Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep LF); Lawrie Scores; Cooper Scores
2011-09-08 Edwin Encarnacion TOR BOS ahead 4-0 b 3 1 --- 5,(3-1) 1 4 DH 4% 93% Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep RF)
2013-05-12 Brett Lawrie TOR @ BOS ahead 6-1 t 6 0 --- 3,(2-0) 1 6 5 2% 97% Home Run (Line Drive to Deep LF-CF)
2014-07-23 Jose Bautista TOR BOS ahead 5-4 b 7 0 --- 1,(0-0) 1 3 3 10% 90% Home Run (Line Drive to Deep LF-CF)
2015-09-22 Dioner Navarro TOR NYY behind 2-3 b 9 1 --- 1,(0-0) 1 6 2 47% 58% Home Run (Line Drive to Deep LF Line)
2015-09-22 Edwin Encarnacion TOR NYY behind 3-6 b 10 1 --- 3,(1-1) 1 4 DH 3% 4% Home Run (Line Drive to Deep LF Line)

Elliott: 6-foot-7 Miller giant problem in first 3 games for Jays