Detroit Tigers confident of sealing ALDS against New York Yankees at the Bronx – MLB Update
The Champions of American League East and Central will go head-on in Game five of the AL Division Series amid intense apprehension on Thursday, October 6 at Yankee Stadium in New York.
The Tigers managed to split the first two games at the Bronx, winning 5-3 in game two after having been reduced to 3-9 in the opener. The Tigers dominated thereafter and edged past 5-4 in game three to increase their chances of qualification for the Championship
Series.
In 2006, facing a similar situation, the Yankees lost game four and crashed out of the playoffs. Detroit went all the way through to the World Series but lost in the end.
This time, however, the Yankees have defied history and have stretched the series to the limit. If they win the final, they will make their third consecutive trip to the ALCS. With home-advantage and game one winning pitcher Ivan Nova scheduled to take mound,
this does not seem to be a distant possibility for the Yankees.
Nova emphasised that it will be the most important game of his life, but was quick to add that there is no real reason to take pressure. He remained confident that his approach to this game will be just like any other start, but he will want to make this
opportunity count.
Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi recalled that he had sent Nova down to Triple-A to work on a few things so as to earn a permanent spot in the rotation and instead of whining, the starter improved considerably in just 27 days and was recalled before September.
He will be up against the losing pitcher from game one, Doug Fister, who leaked six runs in 4.2 innings before being removed to be replaced by Al Alburquerque.
Fister was acquired from Seattle Mariners on the midseason trade deadline and finished the season with an 8-1 record with the Tigers.
Detroit’s manager Jim Leyland said, "We got a big game with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It's a great scenario. It's great for baseball."
Girardi, on the other hand, pointed out that a failure to go through to the next round will be considered as a colossal loss for the Yankees.
Analysing from the body language of both teams, the Tigers seem to have more craving for the title. Statistically speaking, Detroit has not lost consecutive games since August 28-29.
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