Detroit Tigers’ Jim Leyland confident for ALCS – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland has expressed confidence that his team has the ability and the depth to overcome the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series scheduled to start from Saturday, October 8 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington,
Texas.
Leyland took the big decision of resting his ace Justin Verlander in the all-important ALDS Game 5 against the New York Yankees, but is not taking any chances here. Verlander will take on the mound for Game 1 to fight it out with Texas’ ace C.J. Wilson,
who failed to impress in his start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series.
Wilson was unglued for eight runs in five innings against Tampa Bay to lose the match for Rangers. However, the Rangers responded well to win the next three games and consequently qualify for their second consecutive Championship Series. Prior to 2010, the
Rangers had never won a post-season series.
Talking to reporters on the eve of the Championship Series Game 1, Wilson played down concerns for another failure. He termed his loss against Tampa Bay as unfortunate and emphasised that he is upbeat to resurface on the mound after finishing the regular
season impressively. In 34 starts during the regular season, Wilson faced disappointment in only seven and won 16.
Leyland voiced his concerns over the lack of rest his team has had since the ALDS win against the Yankees on Thursday, October 6. However, he clarified that this should not affect the team’s performance and will not be used as an excuse if the team does
not win.
Verlander earned praise from Texas’ manager Ron Washington as well. Washington said, "He can command the baseball, and the deeper he gets in the game, his velocity gets better and throws strikes."
Although Verlander lost to the Rangers at home in his only start against them in the regular season, Washington played it down and highlighted the fact that Detroit’s ace has bagged the most wins in the Majors this season.
Delmon Young is suspected of carrying a mild strain and might be scratched from Game 1. If this injury turns out to be serious, the slugger might be forced out of the series and this will be a colossal loss for the Tigers.
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