The baseball gods and the Detroit Tigers

No coincidences · 10-11-12, 01:40 AM

I will say this about backing Verlander tomorrow too: I know it makes sense on paper. The guy is basically bionic. He's the best starting pitcher in the game, and he may very well make up for all of Detroit's flaws, throw a 130-pitch complete game and somehow get the Tigers into the ALCS. But if you're taking Detroit, you're betting on a team with a bad defense, shoddy relief pitching and a lineup that isn't hitting right now. You're also betting against the A's mojo on their home-field in a win-or-go-home atmosphere. They are the better "team" with better chemistry, a better bullpen and more guys playing like this game is their last. Good luck with that.

Mantle7 · 10-11-12, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by No coincidences

I will say this about backing Verlander tomorrow too: I know it makes sense on paper. The guy is basically bionic. He's the best starting pitcher in the game, and he may very well make up for all of Detroit's flaws, throw a 130-pitch complete game and somehow get the Tigers into the ALCS. But if you're taking Detroit, you're betting on a team with a bad defense, shoddy relief pitching and a lineup that isn't hitting right now. You're also betting against the A's mojo on their home-field in a win-or-go-home atmosphere. They are the better "team" with better chemistry, a better bullpen and more guys playing like this game is their last. Good luck with that.

Very, very well put.

TwoWays · 10-11-12, 01:59 AM

Good one, NC...baseball gods. Ha. That detroit relief pitcher is lights out. Don't blame him for the closer's screw up. How you going to close a game throwing 90 mph when the relief pitchers before him were throwing mid-90's. Voodoo and/or talent coming through in the clutch? You choosing both? How about the lucky breaks Detroit got earlier on in the series. That's was when the baseball gods were on detroit side. Lol, you silly.

lunchbawks · 10-11-12, 02:02 AM

AA is untouchable, blame leyland for pulling him

No coincidences · 10-11-12, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by lunchbawks

AA is untouchable, blame leyland for pulling him

AA didn't pitch last night. He's good, but raw. Slider is devastating, but command still lacking at times.

You go with the guy who brought you to the dance. For Leyland, unfortunately, that's Valverde. Sink or swim he's going to pitch him in clutch situations. Fact of the matter is, he has zero stuff right now and is being exposed accordingly.

AA pissed off Oakland with that kiss. They commented on it publicly. It's their motivating factor now. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I'd want to give a team like this any added motivation. They already play harder and smarter than the Tigers in the first place. Detroit skates by because they have a monster at 1B and the best hitter and pitcher in the game.

HOT WINGS · 10-11-12, 09:08 AM

Detroit wont need the bullpen tonight so that weakness shouldnt be exposed. Under probably safest bet if you like Oakland. Either way I see this game being the first to 3 wins.

adamo1018 · 10-11-12, 09:13 AM

Everybody wants to talk about how bad the tigers D is but the playoffs are a different season and since the playoffs started, the tigs have been one of the better defensive teams. And as for AA, no one mentioned the fact that the guy missed the whole playoff run last season with elbow surgery and just got caught up in the moment and hes really a good kid. What people should be focusing on more is how incredibly gaay Oakland is to let something that absolutely no one noticed happening live until the replays to affect them at all, super gay IMO. And they biitch about balls and strikes non stop; what about the baseball gods on that one. You think they are going to ultimately reward cry babies that are blaming balls and strikes for losses? Like 80 percent of Oaklands strikeouts end with them throwing a temper tantrum like a fing 8 year old in a mall. Pull your heads out of your tuckuses, thanks.

No coincidences · 10-11-12, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by adamo1018

Everybody wants to talk about how bad the tigers D is but the playoffs are a different season and since the playoffs started, the tigs have been one of the better defensive teams. And as for AA, no one mentioned the fact that the guy missed the whole playoff run last season with elbow surgery and just got caught up in the moment and hes really a good kid. What people should be focusing on more is how incredibly gaay Oakland is to let something that absolutely no one noticed happening live until the replays to affect them at all, super gay IMO. And they biitch about balls and strikes non stop; what about the baseball gods on that one. You think they are going to ultimately reward cry babies that are blaming balls and strikes for losses? Like 80 percent of Oaklands strikeouts end with them throwing a temper tantrum like a fing 8 year old in a mall. Pull your heads out of your tuckuses, thanks.

Good points. Tigers win Game 5 because Oakland is gay and a bunch of cry babies.

ermzzy · 10-11-12, 10:18 AM

i dont think they will put valverde on again, no way to fock up the series, hopefully any other pitcher takes the last few innings and wraps it up.

2daBank · 10-11-12, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by adamo1018

Everybody wants to talk about how bad the tigers D is but the playoffs are a different season and since the playoffs started, the tigs have been one of the better defensive teams. And as for AA, no one mentioned the fact that the guy missed the whole playoff run last season with elbow surgery and just got caught up in the moment and hes really a good kid. What people should be focusing on more is how incredibly gaay Oakland is to let something that absolutely no one noticed happening live until the replays to affect them at all, super gay IMO. And they biitch about balls and strikes non stop; what about the baseball gods on that one. You think they are going to ultimately reward cry babies that are blaming balls and strikes for losses? Like 80 percent of Oaklands strikeouts end with them throwing a temper tantrum like a fing 8 year old in a mall. Pull your heads out of your tuckuses, thanks.

my cardinals typically cry and bitch about every little thing in every gm (especially when TLR was there), and they still manage to win quite often...

Regul8er · 10-11-12, 11:01 AM

NC....what do you mean AA didnt pitch last night?? Did you watch the game??

No coincidences · 10-11-12, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by Regul8er

NC....what do you mean AA didnt pitch last night?? Did you watch the game??

Sorry, I meant he wasn't pitching when they went to Valverde, which was in response to lunch's "blame Leyland for pulling him." AA pitched the 7th.

capone8585 · 10-11-12, 11:04 AM

Tigers only win here of verlander goes complete