The stage is set and the Final Four teams are in the gate... Which horse will hit it's mark?
Detroit is riding such an incredible high after losing the first game in the Yankee series.. only to reel off three straight impressive wins. Pitching was the difference, as it always is in the post season. The Tiger's young arms are as impressive as any in baseball and the demonstrated why they had the No. 1 ERA in the league.
The A's .. off an impressive sweep of the high flying Twins are also relying on incredible arms in their rotation. Opening the ALCS with Barry Zito vs the depth of the Tiger offensive lineup, this turns into the classic matchup. Pitching vs. Hitting. Pudge and Company vs. Zito and Company. Frank Thomas and Company vs. Nate Robertson and Company.
As for the NL Series.. it is so elementary.. who's offensive lineup will expose the rotation's weakness. Which incredibly potent offense will prevail? Will it be Delgado, Beltran, Wright and company... or Pujols, Edmonds, Rolen and company?
I can't see either pitching staff fending off the tremendous bats on the opposing side.. I can only see an offensive series here.
Whereas, on the AL side. . it can easily be dominated by pitching.
Awesome game. . . Baseball. It all boils down to Me against YOU. Pitcher against Hitter. Who will win?
Just like tonight's game.. Nate Robertson was impeccable.. made every pitch he needed to make to keep the A's from answering any challenges. The Tigers were so patient vs. Zito that they could eventually get into good hitter's counts and put Zito on the defensive. Once you can get that position... and have the offensive capabilities of a team like the Tigers... look out. Just ask the Yankees.
And so it was tonight. The patience of the Tiger hitters prevailed. They couldn't even put a dent in Zito through the first eight hitters. 1-8 got up .. and just as quickly sat down. But.. each of those hitters remained patient.. getting to at least a two ball count.. working Zito.. working Zito.. Until the #9 man.. Brandon Inge. . 2 outs nobody on. Bang! Bombarooni! A good hitter's count.. a 1-0 ball game. All of a sudden the Tigers came alive.. and .. never looked back. Don Slaught had to be proud of the approach the Tiger hitters undertook.. in part (I'm sure) from Don's coaching.
So.. with a first game win on the road.. here go the Tigers again. They have put themselves in a tremendously advantageous position to take the ALCS and get to the World Series.
Who will they meet?
My pick.. the Mets!
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