Category Archives: Playoffs

2006 Season, Game Post, Playoffs

ALDS Game 2: Tigers at Yankees

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PREGAME: After losing last night, tonight’s game becomes probably more “must-win” than any the Tigers have played this year.

The Tigers will send out the same lineup as last night, but with right hander Justin Verlander on the mound. Verlander faced the Yankees in June and allowed 6 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks while pitching with a cut on his throwing hand. Justin will be making his first start since the Tigers clinched the wild card on September 24th. Really, it was the last happy day for the Tigers and their fans. Of course he’s a key to the Tigers success tonight so here’s hoping he’s more rested than rusty.

The Yankees will send out Mike Mussina who dominated the Tigers in May as he was an Alex Rodriguez throwing error away from a complete game shut out. Really he’s dominated the Tigers during his entire existence. The current Tigers roster has mustered exactly 2 home runs in their careers against Mussina. What makes Mussina difficult is that he doesn’t seem to fall into typicaly patters. He’s as likely to throw breaking stuff whether he’s ahead or behind in the count. The trick is to get runners on base – which is no small feat. With the bases empty Mussina’s OPS against is a meager 587 but with runners on it is 775.

Tigers Lineup

CF Granderson
2B Polanco
1B Casey
RF Ordonez
SS Guillen
C Rodriguez
LF Monroe
DH Thames
3B Inge

Yankees Lineup

CF Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
1B Sheffield
DH Giambi
3B Rodriguez
LF Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano

Game Time 8:09 Game Time 1:09

I can’t think of a way that bumping the game to tomorrow will materially effect much. It may mean that Joel Zumaya won’t be used 2 innings, but that’s about it. Oh yeah, and I won’t be able to see it because I’ll be at work.

POSTGAME Of all the days to have meetings all afternoon. I managed to catch the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings on the radio. When I went into a meeting to start the 8th, one of my co-workers made a point of walking by the conference room holding up the score each half inning.

I’ll have a proper wrap up in a couple hours. Thanks for all the comments keeping this place humming this afternoon.

2006 Season, Playoffs

Game 1: The Day After

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Yes the Yankees lineup is formidable, but if you look at the final box score you see a Tiger team that nearly matched them hit for hit. The Yankees posted 14 hits, 5 for extra bases including 2 homers. The Tigers banged out 12 hits, 7 for extra bases including 2 homers. The difference tonight was execution.

The Tigers couldn’t execute a hit and run and shot themselves in the foot. While the hit and run was questionable with Ordonez as the lead runner, given Wang’s extreme ground ball tendencies it wasn’t an awful call. The problem was the swing and miss.

Nate Robertson couldn’t field 2 different comebackers (Brandon Inge picked him up on the 2nd) and the first one led to the big inning.

The Tigers had their chances but weren’t able to capitalize often enough.

I’m not saying this loss was bad luck or anything of the sort. The Tigers were beat. But they weren’t outslugged. They weren’t scared. They weren’t playing like a team that was just swept by the Royals. I’m encouraged. The Tigers deserve to be here and they played like it.

Other thoughts on the game

Lynn Henning

The Yankees won it because they put together quick scoring blitzes the Tigers can’t match, which is what happened when they popped Nate Robertson for five runs and six consecutive hits in the third. The Tigers have too many soft spots in their batting order to blow up a game the way New York can. One inning, six batters, and the Yankees put away a ballgame.

Danny Knobler

“Now, we’re experienced,” pitcher Nate Robertson proclaimed with a smile Tuesday night.

That’s fine, but one game into their first playoff series in 19 years, the Detroit Tigers are also one game down. They weren’t embarrassed in Tuesday night’s 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees, but could they really come away encouraged after a game where the Yankee lineup looked every bit as good as advertised?

WasWatching.com: October 3rd vs. The Tigers

Lastly, the Tigers did not look scared or tense tonight. They sure did not look like a team that just choked up a division. I expect them to show up tomorrow and play tough. The Yankees should expect that as well.

Replacement Level Yankees Weblog

This game showed me a few things. One, Detroit’s not intimidated by the Yankees and this series will not be easy. Two, the Yankee bullpen is a scary thing. Three, the Yankee offense can explode at any time. Four, Gary Sheffield made a really nice stretch on a low throw in the early innings. He doesn’t look smooth at first, but he’s looking more and more capable.

Detroit Tiger Tales

I’m trying to stay optimistic but the Yankees line-up is amazing. It’s literally an all-star line-up from top to bottom, perhaps the best line-up in the history of the game when all are healthy. They are an incredibly well disciplined team. It seems like they never swing at a bad pitch and when you give them something to hit they hit a line drive. It’s quite a contrast to the free swinging Tigers.

MICHAEL ROSENBERG: Tigers haven’t shaken late-season woes

Much has been made of the Tigers’ inexperience on the big stage. But as Leyland often says, he’ll take talent over experience. And in this series, maybe that debate is moot. The Yankees have more of both.

New York Daily News – Baseball – Bill Madden: Detroit’s slip showing

At least they showed they weren’t awed by Yankee Stadium and all its aura this time of year. But, in the end, they were unable to contain that lineup. Once again, we saw hints of a Yankee pitching staff that is beatable, and it would appear if they are to fulfill The Boss’ mandate of nothing short of a world championship, the Bombers are going to have to bludgeon their way to it.

2006 Season, Game Post, Playoffs

ALDS Game 1: Tigers at Yankees

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PREGAME: Despite the prevailing wisdom that the Yankees will win the series, MLB decided to still actually play the games. Tonight it will be Nate Robertson taking on Chien Ming Wang.

The Tigers will face Wang for the 3rd time this year. They’ve had very little success posting a 250/327/273 line with all of 1 extra base hit (a double by Curtis Granderson). Wang doesn’t strike out many batters, not even Tigers, but he does force hitters to beat the ball into the ground. The high ground ball rate of course limits homer potential and Wang has allowed only 12 gopher balls. For a team that relies on the long ball this isn’t a great match-up.

Nate Robertson started twice against the Yankees. The first meeting Nate allowed 2 runs over 7 innings, and then 4 more in the last inning and 2/3. In the last meeting he only surrendered 2 runs but lost to Chien Ming Wang. For the season Yankee hitters are knocking him around at a 312/366/438 clip.

Tiger Lineup

CF Granderson
2B Polanco
1B Casey
RF Ordonez
SS Guillen
C Rodriguez
LF Monroe
DH Thames
3B Inge

Yankees Lineup

CF Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
1B Sheffield
DH Giambi
3B Rodriguez
LF Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano

Game Time 8:19

Go Get ’em Tigers!

POSTGAME: Maybe I’m delusional, but this game seemed much closer than the score. A comebacker Robertson can’t field cleanly, a ground ball just under the glove of Placido Polanco, and this game is a lot closer. But such is baseball. The Tigers battled back and continued to get men on base but moral victories don’t get you very far in the playoffs.

What’s disappointing is that Wang was as hittable as he gets and the Tigers got into the Yankees bullpen early enough to make things interesting. But to no avail.

2006 Season, Pitching, Playoffs, Roster Management

Playoff Roster Set

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Listening to the post game show on the way home from the game it sounds like Ramon Santiago is in over Chris Shelton and Zach Miner is in over Andrew Miller.

The Miller/Miner decision seemed pretty clear cut, even with Miner’s debacle on Saturday night. Miller hadn’t been that effective that he would warrant a spot over the other guys in the bullpen.

As for the last position player, I think this move is foolish yet understandable. Chris Shelton was given a few pinch hitting opportunities in the last week and he looked awful. If he does something, or anything positive in those at-bats and he makes the roster. Instead the Tigers take the Perez/Infante/Santiago trio of back-up infielders.

So the squad is as follows:

Infielders: Casey, Polanco, Guillen, Inge, Infante, Perez, Santiago
Outfielders: Monroe, Granderson, Ordonez, Gomez, Thames
Catchers: Rodriguez, Wilson
Starting Pitchers: Robertson, Verlander, Rogers, Bonderman
Relief Pitchers: Jones, Rodney, Zumaya, Walker, Ledezma, Grilli, Miner

It was also announced that Nate Robertson would start game 1 and Justin Verlander would start game 2. Interestingly, Nate Robertson was warming up and looked to be next in line if the game continued. And with Verlander starting game 2, I won’t have to finish that Rick Ankiel article I was writing.

2006 Season, Playoffs

Tigers Business is Booming

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The Tigers success has been bringing people downtown all summer. The Tigers are only 55,285 fans away from setting a new record in Comerica Park attendance. It will pass the 2,533,752 fans who came to Comerica Park in 2000. It will also become the 2nd largest crowd in Detroit history.

Now a study shows that the possible impact of a long playoff run could bring as much as $71.7 million into the city (reg required). That number assumes that Detroit would host the maximum number of home games which would be 11. The estimates include tickets, parking, food, drink, entertainment and souveneirs.

The estimates are for $3.9 million per ALDS game, $5.5 million for each ALCS game, and $9.5 million per World Series game.

I’m typically skeptical about these types of estimates, but this set actually seem reasonable. If you assume 43,000 fans per game the estimates are $90.69 per fan for the ALDS, $127.90 for the ALCS, and $220 for the World Series. I think it is a safe assumption that thousands of fans without tickets would be coming down to enjoy the games in local establishments, so those per fan averages are probably even lower.

Now given the current standings, it is unlikely that Detroit would have a shot at having 4 home games in the ALCS. Regardless of the number of playoff games, the study says taht the increased attendance has already resulted in an additional $36.2 million coming into the city during the regular season.

2006 Season, Playoffs

ALCS Tickets and more ALDS Tickets

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The Tigers announced their plans for selling ALCS tickets and additional tickets being released for the ALDS.

Individual game tickets to potential 2006 American League Championship Series games that could be played at Comerica Park will go on sale Monday, October 2, 2006 at 10 a.m.

In addition, a limited number of newly-released individual tickets for the American League Division Series games to be played at Comerica Park will go on sale this Friday, September 29 at 10 a.m.

Tickets will only be available online at tigers.com and by phone at 248-25-TIGER. Tickets will not be sold at ticket outlets or at the Comerica Park Box Office.

Individual ticket prices for potential League Championship Series games at Comerica Park start at $75 – while ticket prices for the Division Series games start at $35. Fans will be allowed to purchase up to six (6) tickets per game, per customer, subject to availability.

The American League Championship Series is scheduled to begin Tuesday, October 10, 2006

2006 Season, Playoffs

Maroth not on playoff roster

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Jim Leyland made the announcement today that Mike Maroth won’t be a member of the playoff roster.

This is the right choice and hardly a surprise. Maroth has barely pitched since coming back from injury, and he hasn’t been effective with his limited opportunities.

As a fan though, I feel horrible for MIke. He endured 2003 and he did it with class. He was given the opportunity to be taken out of the rotation to avoid 20 losses, yet he took his turn each time.

This season saw him start off great only to be sidelined with bone chips. He wasn’t able to continue what looked to be a promising personal season, and his elbow limited him to gum-chewing duty as the team enjoyed more success than this city has seen in years. He stayed with the team and was always seen in the dugout.

And on top of all that, he has a reputation as being one of the all around good guys in all of baseball.

Now Maroth isn’t getting “the shaft” by any means. It is simply a matter of unfortunate circumstances. I’d love for him to be a contributing member of the roster, but it won’t change the fact that he’s still a part of the team.

2006 Season, Playoffs

It’s a Pep Rally

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The Tigers will host “Rally Monday” from 11am to 1pm on October 2nd. The free event at Comerica Park will feature:

  • Jeff Daniels performing Life Long Tiger Fan Blues Revisted
  • Autographs from former Tigers Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Gates Brown, and Dan Petry
  • Mario & Rod emcee’ing
  • An appearance by Ernie Harwell
  • Free rally towels to the first 2500 fans
  • Opportunity to win ALDS tickets
2006 Season, Pitching, Playoffs

Setting up the playoff rotation

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Jim Leyland announced today that Justin Verlander wouldn’t be making his start on Saturday. This is probably good on a couple fronts.

First, Verlander’s velocity was down in his last start. He’s well eclilpsed his previous innings threshold and fatigue is certainly a reality. I can’t speak to how much a couple extra days will aid in recovery, but it certainly shouldn’t hurt.

Second, it sets up what will likely be the Tigers playoff rotation. I’m guessing it will be Rogers-Verlander-Robertson-Bonderman, unless Bonderman gets for his next start on Sunday. Each of the 4 would be pitching on normal or extended rest. The Twins losing at some point would certainly facilitate that.

2006 Season, Playoffs

The Clinch: Playoffs

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The Tigers have secured their first playoff birth since 1987. I was 13 when the Tigers last sniffed the post season so this is a first in my adult life – and yet I feel like a kid!

Congratulations everyone! Players, Scouts, Coaches, Front Office Folks, Fans, Bloggers, Everyone!

Special congratulations go out to the following players:
Brandon Inge
Ramon Santiago
Craig Monroe
omar Infante
Jeremy Bonderman
Mike Maroth
Jamie Walker
Fernando Rodney
Wilfredo Ledezma
Nate Robertson

That was the worst of times, and here’s hoping for the best of times.

The story isn’t complete, but the first chapter is. Now let’s nail down the division.