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US Presswire photo Justin Verlander leads the Tigers into Texas for the ALCS. |
And now we move on to the final four. Tomorrow, the Cardinals and Brewers will commence what has the potential to be an epic NLCS given all the personalities and bad blood between those two franchises. But first up tonight, the Tigers and Rangers get the ALCS underway with the best pitcher in the sport taking the mound.
Detroit managed to topple the Yankees in the Division Series despite getting only one start out of Justin Verlander. He'll need to play a bigger role in this series for the Tigers to emerge victorious, and it's quite possible he will if Jim Leyland lets him start Games 4 and 7 on short rest. Verlander's task is no picnic. He's got to face a deep and prodigious Texas lineup, not to mention a top-notch lefty in C.J. Wilson, who will look to get the Rangers one step closer to a return trip to the World Series.
How will this series ultimately play out? Scroll down for my prediction...
AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - GAME 1
DETROIT TIGERS at TEXAS RANGERS
Where: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Gametime: 8:05 p.m.
TV: Fox
Radio: WTEM (980 AM), WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), XM 89
Weather: Chance of storms, 82 degrees, Wind 11 mph in from CF
STARTING LINEUPSPREDICTION: The Rangers are in familiar territory, having just done this last October to reach the franchise's first Fall Classic. And they've got home-field advantage, and a lot else going for them. But as we've seen over the last week, great pitching topples great hitting every time. And the Tigers have potentially great pitching in Verlander, Doug Fister and Max Scherzer. Their lineup ain't too shabby, either. DETROIT IN SIX.
TIGERS
CF Austin Jackon
LF Ryan Raburn
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Victor Martinez
RF Magglio Ordonez
C Alex Avila
SS Jhonny Peralta
2B Ramon Santiago
3B Brandon Inge
(P Justin Verlander)
RANGERS
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
CF Josh Hamilton
DH Michael Young
3B Adrian Beltre
C Mike Napoli
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
1B Mitch Moreland
(P C.J. Wilson)
15 comments:
Has been lots of fun watching the games so far, when I could stay awake for them. Another great Jim Leyland Techno moment the other day, when he mentioned having received an advisory telegram from a college professor (someone else corrected and said that it was a fax). Leyland and his team will continue to get the Luddite Solidarity nod from me. Go, Tigers!
I hope you're right, Mark. I stopped rooting for Texas when the last Senator (Toby Harrah?) left the club.
In this series I'm pulling for Detroit. Beyond the team's tradition, I'm wishing Verlander well. His family lives in Goochland County outside of Richmond and by all accounts they're decent, pleasant folks. What a talent their son is.
Of course, the state of Michigan sure needs a lift.
Like the prediction Mr. Z. No surprise that I am rooting for the Tigers (my home team). Got a phone call from my husband 30 minutes ago (bless his heart), we have tickets for next Wednesdays game in Detroit.
You'd think with Verlander on the mound I'd feel confident. But, if I've learned anything in this postseason it's to expect the unexpected (really, Nyjer?).
As much as I'd prefer seeing the Tigers win, I think the Rangers have a slight advantage overall, not least given that four games will (potentially) be played in a park that favors their HR hitters. And while Verlander is certainly the ace of the series, I don't see Leyland using him to start three games and I don't see the Tigers having that significant an advantage in the remainder of the two staffs (starting or relief). I also think the Tigers will suffer with the decision that Delmon Young can't/won't play. I'm thinking/expecting Rangers in six or seven, but I'd loved to be proved wrong.
Since I generally don't care all that much about American League baseball - I find the whole dh thing boring - I don't really have a dog in this fight. So I guess for the first time in about a month or so I can watch a game with absolutely no emotions. Well - right up until it gets exciting - then I will probably choose a side and stay up too late. It's a disease.
I hope youRe right, Mark, though I also have no affinity for either team. Detroit hasn't had much to cheer about for a long time, and for that reason alone I'm pulling for them.Also, I was a Senators fan, and Texas, along with Bob Short, stole our team. I haven't forgotten. Freakin' carpetbaggers.
may be worth watching Detroit/Texas just to hear Terry Francona do color commentary
RYAN HOWARD - RUPTURED ACHILLES TENDON. MOST LIKELY WON'T BE READY TO START THE 2012 SEASON
Can't watch the game because it is not on TBS. Anyways, watching Danny's defensive highlights. So many videos to see! Awesome!
Sorry to hear about Howard. Would have preferred to beat Phillies at full strength. :D
Bummer for Howard.
Went out to dinner with a friend and later turned on tv during the first rain delay. Watched Detroit staging a comeback and some entertaining interviews until the second rain delay. Set the DVR because I won't be up to watch the rest of it.
I'm sure the networks are happy with tex, det, milw and st l. Good to see that spending the most $ doesn't mean you get a ticket to the finals... just the prelims.
For Howard, hate it for him. I hope we kick Philly butt next year but I want them at full strength.
Guess I root for Tex as they have their farm team here in MB and played here last year. Good a reason as any,
SCNatsFan said...
For Howard, hate it for him. I hope we kick Philly butt next year but I want them at full strength. October 9, 2011 12:51 AM
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Injuries are part of the game. The difference is the Philly fans will always make excuses.
The Nats were never really at full-strength last year. The Nats played no games where Strasburg, LaRoche, and Zim were all available and never used that as an excuse.
The Nats only had LaRoche for 43 games and the sad part was he was never really healthy. I'm still not convinced that Zim ever started the season healthy and out of the 101 games he appeared in, he may have been at full strength for 1/2 of those.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=RF&sid=l119&t=p_pbp&pid=547180
Bryce Harper starts off the AFL in a funk. 0-13 with 4 K's. Norris is 2-11 wtih no walks. I have to wonder if this is the start of Norris trying to be more aggressive at the plate or the fact the pitchers are being aggressive on him.
Always good to see all the top players competing against each other.
Stayed up for the whole game. Tired today but it was really exciting. That closer, pretty hot stuff. Maybe Henry will get there one day.
I hope they renegotiate the tv contracts to match how people live their livt there one day. Enjoyed the game being on Fox so I could watch it in full, not just the "companion" coverage on MLBtv.
short blurb on Solis from Keith Law.
Washington lefty Sammy Solis faced off against Detroit southpaw Andy Oliver on Thursday afternoon, with Solis pitching better and showing himself to be the better prospect. Solis was 91-94 with an average changeup at 82-83, showing good arm speed on the pitch, but the low slot and lack of an average breaking ball limits his ceiling to the back of a big-league rotation.
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