If Toronto seems a little deserted Friday night, it's likely because scores of Blue Jays fans flocked to Cleveland for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

One family of Blue Jays fans — Rachel Dales, her parents Ian and Krista, and her boyfriend Ryan Smyth — left Bowmanville, Ont., before the crack of dawn on Friday.

Hundreds, if not thousands, more fans are expected to make the trip for Game 1 and 2 this weekend, with the Cleveland Plain-Dealer newspaper reporting earlier this week that Jays fans have already booked up all of the available downtown hotel rooms.

Ian Dales, Ryan Smyth, Krista Dales and Rachel Dales stocked up for their drive to Cleveland. (John Rieti/CBC News)

For Rachel, the road trip is a belated birthday gift. Her parents told her to wait for something she really wanted, and so, when Josh Donaldson dove into home plate to propel the Jays further into the playoffs it was settled.

CBC Toronto follows a GTA family's road trip to Cleveland to watch the Toronto Blue Jays compete in the ALCS. 0:49

Lifelong Jays fans

"We felt it was necessary to go, as lifelong Blue Jays fans," said Smyth during an interview on Metro Morning.

I think if we can win this we should do really well in the series. - Rachel Dales

The family struck out when it came to buying tickets the official way, but managed to find some resale tickets that cost around $230 each.

Worth it, they said, though nobody in their car is guaranteeing a win, considering the quality of the opponent: a Cleveland team that's young, fast and has some outstanding pitchers.

The superfans spent $230 on their tickets. (Submitted by Ryan Smyth)

"We think if they can get through this first game, this will probably be the hardest one," said Rachel. "I think if we can win this we should do really well in the series."

The chance to see some baseball history is irresistible. Neither Rachel nor Ryan were alive when the Jays won back-to-back World Series titles. To be part of this run, well, it's worth a 400-kilometre drive.