I was prepared for lots of Tigers winning scenarios tonight. I saw the good Max Scherzer showing up. I envisioned the Tigers bats picking up where they left off in game five. I pictured scoreless innings by Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde with Valverde dancing after the last out. At the same time, I was prepared for plenty of bad scenarios. Most of them involved a tight game and a heart breaking loss. I was not prepared for a nine-run third inning by the Rangers.
We've seen it all year with Scherzer. He can be very good or very bad and not usually anything in between. The good thing is that he excels more often than fails including his previous playoff appearances. Tonight, however, Mr Hyde showed up.
After Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta staked Scherzer to an early 2-0 lead with solo homers, Scherzer fell apart in the third. He allowed six consecutive Rangers to reach on three hits and three walks. Manager Jim Leyland was forced to take him out early and roll the dice with his shaky middle relief corps.
The Tigers bullpen could do nothing to stop the Rangers attack. The nine-run third-inning explosion pretty much ended the game and the Tigers season. It didn't stop there. The Rangers continued their assault against a parade of Tigers relievers including Dan Schlereth, Rick Porcello, Ryan Perry and Brad Penny. Sloppy outfield defense didn't help matters either. The final score was an embarrassing 15-5.
It was a difficult end to what was a fine season for the Tigers. They won the American League Central by 15 games thanks to a fantastic finish including a 12-game winning streak. They had a good number of walk-offs and other exciting wins. They had as many great individual seasons as any Tigers team I can remember. Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Alex Avila, Jose Valverde, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta were all at or near the top of the league for their positions.
Our Tigers followed up with a thrilling victory over the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. That one ended with a game-five win at Yankee Stadium which should be remembered as one of the best wins in Tigers history. They battled hard for the first five games of the League Championship series. They were two key hits away from the World Series before everything unraveled tonight.
The game tonight was pretty tough to take and it's going to take a bit to shake it from our memories. Ultimately though, we should remember this as a good and very entertaining season for the Tigers.
For now, I will just say congratulation to the Texas Rangers for their second straight American League pennant.
Showing posts with label postseason 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label postseason 2011. Show all posts
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tigers Survive, Beat Rangers 7-5
Down three games to one, the Tigers had their second "must win" game of the playoffs today. They had their ace pitcher Justin Verlander on the mound, but their two top relievers Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde were unavailable after pitching three straight days including two innings apiece in last night's loss. So it wasn't going to be easy.
Verlander was not his dominant self and wasn't very efficient either throwing 133 pitches in 7 1/3 innings. He allowed 11 base runners and 4 runs, but was very tough pitching his way out of jams. The biggest mess came in the sixth inning. With the score tied at two, the Tigers right hander loaded the bases before inducing Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler to hit into an inning-ending double play.
That sixth inning included a long foul fly to right by Adrian Beltre which missed being a three-run homer by an inch. It looked like the series was over for a brief moment. Instead, Tigers fortunes seemed to change at that point.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers dormant offense finally exploded. Ryan Raburn led off with a sharp single to left. Miguel Cabrera followed with a double which took a high hop off the third-base bag, a rare break for the Tigers in this series. Victor Martinez then tripled into the right field corner past the diving Nelson Cruz. Finally, Delmon Young (who was originally scheduled to miss the whole series with an oblique injury) belted his second homer of the game to left. It was the first "cycle" by a team - Single, double, triple, homer in succession - in post-season history. It was also a 6-2 lead for the Tigers.
The lead would reach 7-2 after a homer by Ryan Raburn in the seventh, but no game is going to be easy in this series. Verlander gave up a Homer to the great Nelson Cruz on his 133rd pitch and yielded to lefty reliever Phil Coke with 7-4 lead with one out in the eighth.
Coke got the last two outs in the eighth, but then gave up a run and three base runners in the ninth. This allowed Mike Napoli to come to plate as the potential go ahead run. Fortunately, Coke got Napoli on a grounder to second ending the game with Babe Cruz on deck.
When asked what happened in the ninth inning, Coke joked: "I was just trying to make it interesting man". I don't know about you guys, but I think this series has been "interesting" enough without that!
Ailing Tigers All Produced Today
Yesterday, I doubted that the Tigers could win three games in a row with three ailing hitters in the line-up - Young and Martinez with oblique strains and Alex Avila with a knee injury. The three of them looked healthy enough today. Along with Young's homers and Martinez's triple mentioned above, Avila also homered for the Tigers first run in the third inning. That bodes well for the remainder of the series.
The other piece of good news was that the Tigers got through their bullpen crisis today. They won without Benoit and Valverde and now both will go into game six on two days rest.
Verlander was not his dominant self and wasn't very efficient either throwing 133 pitches in 7 1/3 innings. He allowed 11 base runners and 4 runs, but was very tough pitching his way out of jams. The biggest mess came in the sixth inning. With the score tied at two, the Tigers right hander loaded the bases before inducing Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler to hit into an inning-ending double play.
That sixth inning included a long foul fly to right by Adrian Beltre which missed being a three-run homer by an inch. It looked like the series was over for a brief moment. Instead, Tigers fortunes seemed to change at that point.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers dormant offense finally exploded. Ryan Raburn led off with a sharp single to left. Miguel Cabrera followed with a double which took a high hop off the third-base bag, a rare break for the Tigers in this series. Victor Martinez then tripled into the right field corner past the diving Nelson Cruz. Finally, Delmon Young (who was originally scheduled to miss the whole series with an oblique injury) belted his second homer of the game to left. It was the first "cycle" by a team - Single, double, triple, homer in succession - in post-season history. It was also a 6-2 lead for the Tigers.
The lead would reach 7-2 after a homer by Ryan Raburn in the seventh, but no game is going to be easy in this series. Verlander gave up a Homer to the great Nelson Cruz on his 133rd pitch and yielded to lefty reliever Phil Coke with 7-4 lead with one out in the eighth.
Coke got the last two outs in the eighth, but then gave up a run and three base runners in the ninth. This allowed Mike Napoli to come to plate as the potential go ahead run. Fortunately, Coke got Napoli on a grounder to second ending the game with Babe Cruz on deck.
When asked what happened in the ninth inning, Coke joked: "I was just trying to make it interesting man". I don't know about you guys, but I think this series has been "interesting" enough without that!
Ailing Tigers All Produced Today
Yesterday, I doubted that the Tigers could win three games in a row with three ailing hitters in the line-up - Young and Martinez with oblique strains and Alex Avila with a knee injury. The three of them looked healthy enough today. Along with Young's homers and Martinez's triple mentioned above, Avila also homered for the Tigers first run in the third inning. That bodes well for the remainder of the series.
The other piece of good news was that the Tigers got through their bullpen crisis today. They won without Benoit and Valverde and now both will go into game six on two days rest.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
It's Looking Blique for Tigers
Tonight's 11-inning 7-3 loss to the Rangers was a devastating blow to the Tigers. They are now down three games to one and will have to attempt to win three straight games with a worn out bullpen and a banged up middle of the order. It's not over til it's over, but it's not looking good.
Rick Porcello pitched about as well as could be expected tonight allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings. Typical of his starts, he was brilliant for five innings (0 runs, 2 hits, 6 K), but ran out of gas in the sixth when he gave up three runs. Some may have wanted Jim Leyland to pull him earlier, but there's not much he could do. His middle relievers are bad and the back end of the bullpen has been overused in the postseason.
Leyland went all out to win this one using relievers Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde for the third straight night. Not only that, but they pitched two innings apiece. He could have used Phil Coke earlier, but he was probably trying to stretch out his strongest relievers in order to avoid another Ryan Perry situation in extra innings.
Personally, I was surprised to see Valverde pitch a second inning after pitching the previous two nights. The result was a four-run 11th and a loss. Moreover, Benoit and Valverde will probably be unavailable for tomorrow's game.
There were a couple of base running moves that didn't work out. First Miguel Cabrera was sent home from third on a fly to right by Delmon Young in the eighth. He was out by about ten feet on a perfect throw by Nelson Cruz, who has one of the best outfield arms in the game. Some say, Leyland should have brought in a pinch runner. I disagree. There was no way I would have wanted to see them lose their elite hitter in the eight inning.
In didn't matter anyway because Cruz's throw would have nailed anyone they had available.
Should they have sent him? With a slumping Avila on deck, I think they had to take a chance. There was a possibility that Cruz would throw it off line or that Cabrera could knock the ball loose. Obviously, it didn't work out.
In the tenth inning, they had Austin Jackson attempt to steal to put the potential tying run in scoring position. He was thrown out by Mike Napoli. The thinking there is that Napoli has a poor arm and they wanted to give Ryan Raburn a chance to win the game with a single. The problem is that it would have taken the bat out of on deck batter Cabrera's hands as he surely would have been walked. I personally didn't care for the move, but it was justifiable.
In the end, it was the offense that failed the Tigers again as they had only five hits in 11 innings. Victor Martinez and Delmon Young played through oblique injuries which probably would have put them on the disabled list during the regular season. Alex Avila continued to play while limping around on an injured knee. I'm not optimistic that this hurting crew will produce enough offense in the next three games either.
It was a tough loss, but the one big highlight of the night should be mentioned. With the Tigers down 3-2 in the seventh and two men out, Brandon Inge came to the plate against Alexi Ogando, who has been un-hittable in the playoffs and also against the Tigers in the regular season. It looked hopeless.
Inge looked even more hopeless when he watched a fastball down the middle for strike one and took a check swing for strike two. Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver went so far as to say: "Inge won't pull Ogando". On the next pitch, he pulled a 98-MPH fastball for a game tying homer.
Had the Tigers gone on to win the game, the Inge blast would have been a moment we would have remembered for a long time. As it turned out though, all it did was prolong the frustration and further tax a worn out bullpen.
Victor Martinez said after the game that "Nothing is impossible". He's certainly right that teams have come back from 3-1 deficits before, but it's looking bleak for the Tigers.
Rick Porcello pitched about as well as could be expected tonight allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings. Typical of his starts, he was brilliant for five innings (0 runs, 2 hits, 6 K), but ran out of gas in the sixth when he gave up three runs. Some may have wanted Jim Leyland to pull him earlier, but there's not much he could do. His middle relievers are bad and the back end of the bullpen has been overused in the postseason.
Leyland went all out to win this one using relievers Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde for the third straight night. Not only that, but they pitched two innings apiece. He could have used Phil Coke earlier, but he was probably trying to stretch out his strongest relievers in order to avoid another Ryan Perry situation in extra innings.
Personally, I was surprised to see Valverde pitch a second inning after pitching the previous two nights. The result was a four-run 11th and a loss. Moreover, Benoit and Valverde will probably be unavailable for tomorrow's game.
There were a couple of base running moves that didn't work out. First Miguel Cabrera was sent home from third on a fly to right by Delmon Young in the eighth. He was out by about ten feet on a perfect throw by Nelson Cruz, who has one of the best outfield arms in the game. Some say, Leyland should have brought in a pinch runner. I disagree. There was no way I would have wanted to see them lose their elite hitter in the eight inning.
In didn't matter anyway because Cruz's throw would have nailed anyone they had available.
Should they have sent him? With a slumping Avila on deck, I think they had to take a chance. There was a possibility that Cruz would throw it off line or that Cabrera could knock the ball loose. Obviously, it didn't work out.
In the tenth inning, they had Austin Jackson attempt to steal to put the potential tying run in scoring position. He was thrown out by Mike Napoli. The thinking there is that Napoli has a poor arm and they wanted to give Ryan Raburn a chance to win the game with a single. The problem is that it would have taken the bat out of on deck batter Cabrera's hands as he surely would have been walked. I personally didn't care for the move, but it was justifiable.
In the end, it was the offense that failed the Tigers again as they had only five hits in 11 innings. Victor Martinez and Delmon Young played through oblique injuries which probably would have put them on the disabled list during the regular season. Alex Avila continued to play while limping around on an injured knee. I'm not optimistic that this hurting crew will produce enough offense in the next three games either.
It was a tough loss, but the one big highlight of the night should be mentioned. With the Tigers down 3-2 in the seventh and two men out, Brandon Inge came to the plate against Alexi Ogando, who has been un-hittable in the playoffs and also against the Tigers in the regular season. It looked hopeless.
Inge looked even more hopeless when he watched a fastball down the middle for strike one and took a check swing for strike two. Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver went so far as to say: "Inge won't pull Ogando". On the next pitch, he pulled a 98-MPH fastball for a game tying homer.
Had the Tigers gone on to win the game, the Inge blast would have been a moment we would have remembered for a long time. As it turned out though, all it did was prolong the frustration and further tax a worn out bullpen.
Victor Martinez said after the game that "Nothing is impossible". He's certainly right that teams have come back from 3-1 deficits before, but it's looking bleak for the Tigers.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tigers Wake Up, Beat Rangers 5-2
Yesterday, I listed five slumping Tigers that needed to start hitting if the Tigers were going to have a chance to come back from a 2-0 deficit in this League Championship Series. Today, all but one of those batters came through big in the Tigers 5-2 victory over the Rangers.
First, lead off hitter Austin Jackson finally made some contact stroking three singles in five trips. He scored the go ahead run in the fifth and drove home an insurance run in the sixth. Miguel Cabrera drilled an RBI double in the fifth and a solo homer to left in the seventh. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Perlata also added solo homers. The only slumping hitter who continued to struggle was catcher Alex Avila, who struckout three times. Hopefully, his breakout is just around the corner.
If not for the reawakening of the hitters mentioned above, the big story of this game would have been the pitching of Doug Fister. The steady right hander allowed three singles to start the game, but quickly recovered. He got Michael Young to hit into a double play and then retired Adrian Beltre on strikeouts. After that, he never allowed more than one base runner in any inning. In all, he went 7 1/3 innings allowing just two runs on seven hits. It's almost needless to say at this point that he walked nobody. It was a materful performance against a tough Rangers line-up.
All was not perfect in this game however. Fister pitching deep into the game saved a stretched out bullpen somewhat, but Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde did pitch for the second straight day. This time they saved a win, but how much they'll be able to pitch in the next couple of games remains to be seen.
The bigger concern was that Victor Martinez injured his oblique on his home run swing and ran very gingerly around the bases. He stayed in the game and hit a fly ball fairly well in the seventh, but the Free Press reported via twitter that manager Jim Leyland is "very concerned" about the injury.
With Brennan Boesch and Magglio Ordonez already out and Delmon Young also nursing an oblique injury, this new injury is potentially very bad news. Danny Knobler just tweeted that Martinez will probably be playing tomorrow, but I suspect we won't get a definitive answer on the status of Young and Martinez until shortly before game time.
First, lead off hitter Austin Jackson finally made some contact stroking three singles in five trips. He scored the go ahead run in the fifth and drove home an insurance run in the sixth. Miguel Cabrera drilled an RBI double in the fifth and a solo homer to left in the seventh. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Perlata also added solo homers. The only slumping hitter who continued to struggle was catcher Alex Avila, who struckout three times. Hopefully, his breakout is just around the corner.
If not for the reawakening of the hitters mentioned above, the big story of this game would have been the pitching of Doug Fister. The steady right hander allowed three singles to start the game, but quickly recovered. He got Michael Young to hit into a double play and then retired Adrian Beltre on strikeouts. After that, he never allowed more than one base runner in any inning. In all, he went 7 1/3 innings allowing just two runs on seven hits. It's almost needless to say at this point that he walked nobody. It was a materful performance against a tough Rangers line-up.
All was not perfect in this game however. Fister pitching deep into the game saved a stretched out bullpen somewhat, but Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde did pitch for the second straight day. This time they saved a win, but how much they'll be able to pitch in the next couple of games remains to be seen.
The bigger concern was that Victor Martinez injured his oblique on his home run swing and ran very gingerly around the bases. He stayed in the game and hit a fly ball fairly well in the seventh, but the Free Press reported via twitter that manager Jim Leyland is "very concerned" about the injury.
With Brennan Boesch and Magglio Ordonez already out and Delmon Young also nursing an oblique injury, this new injury is potentially very bad news. Danny Knobler just tweeted that Martinez will probably be playing tomorrow, but I suspect we won't get a definitive answer on the status of Young and Martinez until shortly before game time.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Middle of Order Failing Tigers
Some Tigers fans may blame the rain or bad umpiring for game one's loss. They might fault reliever Ryan Perry for today's loss. Some will blame bad coaching/managing for ill-timed sacrifice bunts and lack of aggressive base running (e.g. not sending Santiago home on Don Kelly's ninth inning double). Others point to lack of hitting with runners in scoring position and that particular issue is certainly part of the problem.
However, the main reason or the more complete reason for the two losses in the League Championship is anemic production from the middle of the order. It's a problem that started in the Yankees series and has continued in Texas. Many have talked about Alex Avila's slump (2 for 25 with 10 strikeouts) but it's been more than just him.
The big four which carried them all season simply hasn't been getting it done this post-season. Avila, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta have combined to go 17 for 99 (.172 batting average) with just 6 extra base hits and 8 RBI. Add lead-off hitter Austin Jackson's 3 for 25 with 14 strikeouts and you can see why they haven't been scoring runs. It's amazing they won the Yankee series given their offensive failings.
What makes the lack of production from their core hitters even more frustrating is that they have gotten solid performances from role players. Delmon Young became the first Tiger ever to hit three home runs in a post-season series. Don Kelly has 6 hits in 14 trips while playing all over the field. Ryan Raburn drove in all their runs today with a three-run homer and is 4 for 11 for the playoffs. Even Brandon Inge and Magglio Ordonez (who is now out for the year with a broke ankle) have made contributions. It's a shame that much of that is getting wasted with the big boys struggling.
They somehow got through the Yankees series without much help from their most powerful bats. It hasn't worked so far in this series. This time, I don't see them mounting any kind of comeback unless their sluggers start to hit. I don't know whether they are worn out, pressing or simply having a slump at the wrong time, but they are running out of time. They need to get going in the next three games at Comerica or the season will be over.
However, the main reason or the more complete reason for the two losses in the League Championship is anemic production from the middle of the order. It's a problem that started in the Yankees series and has continued in Texas. Many have talked about Alex Avila's slump (2 for 25 with 10 strikeouts) but it's been more than just him.
The big four which carried them all season simply hasn't been getting it done this post-season. Avila, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta have combined to go 17 for 99 (.172 batting average) with just 6 extra base hits and 8 RBI. Add lead-off hitter Austin Jackson's 3 for 25 with 14 strikeouts and you can see why they haven't been scoring runs. It's amazing they won the Yankee series given their offensive failings.
What makes the lack of production from their core hitters even more frustrating is that they have gotten solid performances from role players. Delmon Young became the first Tiger ever to hit three home runs in a post-season series. Don Kelly has 6 hits in 14 trips while playing all over the field. Ryan Raburn drove in all their runs today with a three-run homer and is 4 for 11 for the playoffs. Even Brandon Inge and Magglio Ordonez (who is now out for the year with a broke ankle) have made contributions. It's a shame that much of that is getting wasted with the big boys struggling.
They somehow got through the Yankees series without much help from their most powerful bats. It hasn't worked so far in this series. This time, I don't see them mounting any kind of comeback unless their sluggers start to hit. I don't know whether they are worn out, pressing or simply having a slump at the wrong time, but they are running out of time. They need to get going in the next three games at Comerica or the season will be over.
Delmon Young Replaces Magglio Ordonez on Roster
Jason Beck has reported via twitter that Delmon Young has been reinstated on the Tigers roster replacing the injured Magglio Ordonez. I don't know what to make of this move. I suppose this is encouraging news, but it's hard to imagine Young is ready to play this soon after being removed from the roster two days ago. I got the impression that it was not a really serious oblique strain, but those types of injuries tend to be slow healing. Perhaps, he'll be ready to at least pinch hit some time during the series. We'll just have to wait and see. In the mean time, I would guess that Don Kelly will start in right field today.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
Ordonez out for season
When the Tigers announced that Delmon Young would not be on the League Championship Series roster due to a strained oblique, it was bad news. It wasn't a crushing blow though because they had Ryan Raburn ready to step in and take his place. Today, the team announced that Magglio Ordonez has a broken ankle and will be out for the season. This is much worse news because there is no suitable replacement.
Of players on the current 25-man roster, the only outfielders are Don Kelly and Andy Dirks. They are viable replacement when a right-hander is on the mound, but the Rangers staff is loaded with left-handers - three of them in the starting rotation. Thus, the Tigers are in a tough spot.
Who will they bring in to replace Ordonez on the roster? You would think it would be an outfielder or at least some kind of right-handed bat. The first thought is that they could add Delmon Young or Carlos Guillen. It's doubtful they can play in the field or else they would be on the roster already. It's possible that they could pinch hit though.
Others in the organization with significant big league experience include Timo Perez and Clete Thomas. Perez is currently serving a 50-day drug suspension, so he's out. Thomas finished strong for the MudHens after a disappointing start. He's a possibility , but he bat's left-handed, so he's not ideal.
The next best right-handed hitting outfielder available is Ben Guez , who batted a combined .284/.345/.438 for Erie and Toledo. I'm not sure if the Tigers think he's ready for the majors or even he's baseball ready at the moment, but this would be one heck of a way to make a major League debut.
Of players on the current 25-man roster, the only outfielders are Don Kelly and Andy Dirks. They are viable replacement when a right-hander is on the mound, but the Rangers staff is loaded with left-handers - three of them in the starting rotation. Thus, the Tigers are in a tough spot.
Who will they bring in to replace Ordonez on the roster? You would think it would be an outfielder or at least some kind of right-handed bat. The first thought is that they could add Delmon Young or Carlos Guillen. It's doubtful they can play in the field or else they would be on the roster already. It's possible that they could pinch hit though.
Others in the organization with significant big league experience include Timo Perez and Clete Thomas. Perez is currently serving a 50-day drug suspension, so he's out. Thomas finished strong for the MudHens after a disappointing start. He's a possibility , but he bat's left-handed, so he's not ideal.
The next best right-handed hitting outfielder available is Ben Guez , who batted a combined .284/.345/.438 for Erie and Toledo. I'm not sure if the Tigers think he's ready for the majors or even he's baseball ready at the moment, but this would be one heck of a way to make a major League debut.
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Tigers Look to Take Advantage of Rangers Lefties
The Rangers have a very heavily left-handed starting rotation in place for the League Championship Series. CJ Wilson, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland are all lefties while Colby Lewis is the lone right-hander. This is good news for the Tigers, who batted .287 with a .786 OPS versus southpaw starters and .272 with a .767 OPS versus righties during the regular season. They also
Several Tigers batters hit lefties significantly better than righties over the course of the year. This includes Ramon Santiago (.832 OPS vs LHP, .662 vs. RHP), Ryan Raburn (.807, .681), Brandon Inge (.717, .449), Austin Jackson (.732, .672) and Magglio Ordonez (.716, .581). Other hitters such as Miguel Cabrera (.990, 1.047) and Victor Martinez (.823, .861) hit well against both right-handers and left-handers. The player who could be hurt the most by the Rangers staff is Alex Avila (.779, .939). overall, the Ranger right-handedness seems like a small but real advantage for the Tigers.
The Tigers staff, on the other hand, is heavily right-handed. In fact, all their starters are right-handed. Fortunately, the Rangers do not have a distinct advantage versus right-handers (.802 OPS versus LH starters and .799 OPS vs. RH starters). They do have some hitters who enjoy facing right-handers, most notably slugging outfielder Josh Hamilton (.825 vs. LHP, .904 versus RHP). Others include Mitch Moreland (.783, .577) and David Murphy (.809, .507).
Several Tigers batters hit lefties significantly better than righties over the course of the year. This includes Ramon Santiago (.832 OPS vs LHP, .662 vs. RHP), Ryan Raburn (.807, .681), Brandon Inge (.717, .449), Austin Jackson (.732, .672) and Magglio Ordonez (.716, .581). Other hitters such as Miguel Cabrera (.990, 1.047) and Victor Martinez (.823, .861) hit well against both right-handers and left-handers. The player who could be hurt the most by the Rangers staff is Alex Avila (.779, .939). overall, the Ranger right-handedness seems like a small but real advantage for the Tigers.
The Tigers staff, on the other hand, is heavily right-handed. In fact, all their starters are right-handed. Fortunately, the Rangers do not have a distinct advantage versus right-handers (.802 OPS versus LH starters and .799 OPS vs. RH starters). They do have some hitters who enjoy facing right-handers, most notably slugging outfielder Josh Hamilton (.825 vs. LHP, .904 versus RHP). Others include Mitch Moreland (.783, .577) and David Murphy (.809, .507).
Friday, October 07, 2011
Tigers Eliminate Yankees in Classic Playoff Duel.
Teams don't get too many opportunities to meet the Yankees in a sudden death playoff game at Yankee Stadium, the most well known and feared sports stadium in the world. When a team does get that chance, it's never an easy win and it's usually a loss. The Tigers found themselves in that situation for the first time in franchise history tonight. It was a tough tough contest as expected, but the Tigers hung on to win 3-2 in a classic playoff duel.
The Tigers jumped to an early lead in the first inning versus Yankee starter Ivan Nova thanks to solo homers by Don Kelly and Delmon Young on two consecutive pitches. It looked like the Tigers would be doing some slugging tonight. The only question was whether their pitching staff could hold the Yankees, a team that refuses to swing at anything out of the zone and rarely allows an easy out.
As it turned out the Tigers would score only one more run. Designated hitter Victor Martinez singled home Austin Jackson to give them a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Now, I've been pretty optimistic about the Tigers as of late, but I spent the rest of the game fearing that three runs would not be enough against the Yankees line-up.
In the end, three runs would be enough (just barely) thanks to some great clutch pitching. Starter Doug Fister, pitching on three days rest (Edit: it was actually the usual four days rest), worked his way out of jams in the second, third and fourth. He struckout Posada with a man on second to end the second. He tied up Robinson Cano just enough to get him to fly to center with two on and two out in the third. He then survived a bases loaded mess in the fourth, getting the final two outs on easy infield pop ups. The only run against Fister was a solo homer by Cano in the fifth.
Game-two winner Max Scherzer, came in to start the sixth and got four outs. He left after an infield hit by shortstop Derek Jeter with one down in the seventh. Then it got really scary. Reliever Joaquin Benoit allowed two hits, including a single under his glove that should have been an easy out. He then walked slugger Mark Teixeira to make it a one-run ball game. Sandwiched around the walk, however, were punch outs of Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher.
They now had a one run lead with two innings to go, a situation where they had gone 79-0 this year. It never felt safe though. The final out of the eighth was a blast to deep right by Jeter which looked like it might clear the wall for A Yankees lead. Instead Kelly caught it right at the fence.
The ninth inning belonged to closer Jose Valverde as always. He retired Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano on fly balls. Then he struckout ARod for the final out. Papa Grande did his save dance for the 51st time this year and was mobbed by teammates.
Tonight, the Tigers did what every team dreams about. They eliminated the the Yankees in a deciding game on the hallowed turf of Yankee Stadium. It was one of the Tigers biggest victories ever and one that their fans will remember for ages.
The Tigers jumped to an early lead in the first inning versus Yankee starter Ivan Nova thanks to solo homers by Don Kelly and Delmon Young on two consecutive pitches. It looked like the Tigers would be doing some slugging tonight. The only question was whether their pitching staff could hold the Yankees, a team that refuses to swing at anything out of the zone and rarely allows an easy out.
As it turned out the Tigers would score only one more run. Designated hitter Victor Martinez singled home Austin Jackson to give them a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Now, I've been pretty optimistic about the Tigers as of late, but I spent the rest of the game fearing that three runs would not be enough against the Yankees line-up.
In the end, three runs would be enough (just barely) thanks to some great clutch pitching. Starter Doug Fister, pitching on three days rest (Edit: it was actually the usual four days rest), worked his way out of jams in the second, third and fourth. He struckout Posada with a man on second to end the second. He tied up Robinson Cano just enough to get him to fly to center with two on and two out in the third. He then survived a bases loaded mess in the fourth, getting the final two outs on easy infield pop ups. The only run against Fister was a solo homer by Cano in the fifth.
Game-two winner Max Scherzer, came in to start the sixth and got four outs. He left after an infield hit by shortstop Derek Jeter with one down in the seventh. Then it got really scary. Reliever Joaquin Benoit allowed two hits, including a single under his glove that should have been an easy out. He then walked slugger Mark Teixeira to make it a one-run ball game. Sandwiched around the walk, however, were punch outs of Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher.
They now had a one run lead with two innings to go, a situation where they had gone 79-0 this year. It never felt safe though. The final out of the eighth was a blast to deep right by Jeter which looked like it might clear the wall for A Yankees lead. Instead Kelly caught it right at the fence.
The ninth inning belonged to closer Jose Valverde as always. He retired Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano on fly balls. Then he struckout ARod for the final out. Papa Grande did his save dance for the 51st time this year and was mobbed by teammates.
Tonight, the Tigers did what every team dreams about. They eliminated the the Yankees in a deciding game on the hallowed turf of Yankee Stadium. It was one of the Tigers biggest victories ever and one that their fans will remember for ages.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Playoff Predictions
Before the Rangers and Rays start their game this afternoon, I'll offer some predictions for postseason. First, I think the playoffs are largely a crapshoot and trying to figure out what teams are going to benefit from particular match ups is almost impossible. That being said, I honestly think the Tigers are the favorites to capture the American League pennant. I'd probably say that anyway at this time of year, but this year I am stating it with my brain as well as my heart.I also think they can take the Phillies in the World Series (although that's where my heart comes more into play)
The Tigers finished with only the third best record in the league, but they are the hottest team in baseball going 29-9 since August 19. They have a Cy Young probable in Justin Verlander and another pitcher - Doug Fister - who is on the roll of his life. That is probably the best one-two among AL playoff teams at the moment and the top two can bring a team a long way in the playoffs.
They possess a dominant closer in Jose Valverde, a man who has not blown a save all year. Regardless of I feel about the modern closer roll, they is really impressive. His supporting cast of Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke and Al Albuquerque is also in good shape heading into postseason.
Offensively, I'll put up their big four - Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Alex Avila and Jhonny Peralta - against any team in baseball. The rest of the line-up has also improved a lot since the first half. The emergence of Ramon Santiago and the acquisition of Wilson Betemit have filled a couple of black holes at second and third. Ryan Raburn has picked up the pace considerably and Delmon ( Don't call me "Dmitri") Young has filled in nicely for the injured Brennan Boesch.
If there is a big question mark going into the playoffs, it would be right handers Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello. Those two have been in and out all year and at least one of them needs to be at his best in the playoffs. Odds are one of them will.
Here are my picks:
Tigers over Yankees
Rays over Rangers
Phillies over Cardinals
Brewers over Diamondbacks
Tigers over Rays
Phillies over Brewers
Tigers over Phillies
The Tigers finished with only the third best record in the league, but they are the hottest team in baseball going 29-9 since August 19. They have a Cy Young probable in Justin Verlander and another pitcher - Doug Fister - who is on the roll of his life. That is probably the best one-two among AL playoff teams at the moment and the top two can bring a team a long way in the playoffs.
They possess a dominant closer in Jose Valverde, a man who has not blown a save all year. Regardless of I feel about the modern closer roll, they is really impressive. His supporting cast of Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke and Al Albuquerque is also in good shape heading into postseason.
Offensively, I'll put up their big four - Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Alex Avila and Jhonny Peralta - against any team in baseball. The rest of the line-up has also improved a lot since the first half. The emergence of Ramon Santiago and the acquisition of Wilson Betemit have filled a couple of black holes at second and third. Ryan Raburn has picked up the pace considerably and Delmon ( Don't call me "Dmitri") Young has filled in nicely for the injured Brennan Boesch.
If there is a big question mark going into the playoffs, it would be right handers Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello. Those two have been in and out all year and at least one of them needs to be at his best in the playoffs. Odds are one of them will.
Here are my picks:
Tigers over Yankees
Rays over Rangers
Phillies over Cardinals
Brewers over Diamondbacks
Tigers over Rays
Phillies over Brewers
Tigers over Phillies
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