Detroit Tigers’ post season review – MLB News Update
Detroit Tigers will be a very satisfied unit these days. After all the challenges and troubles they had to face during the regular season, the post-season is proving to be a walk in the park for them.
Tigers displayed some top quality hitting skills in a five game American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics. After securing comprehensive wins in first two games of the series, Jim Leyland and his men lost their way a bit.
The A’s grabbed opportunities with both hands as they came back from behind to floor Detroit in Game 3 and Game 4 to level the series 2-2.
However, throughout the season the Tigers have shown us that they have the ability to up their game play in pressure situations and that is exactly what they did in the finale to finish off the A’s.
Starting pitcher Justin Verlander dominated the A’s batting line-up right from the start of the contest. He pitched nine shut-out innings to take Tigers to their second straight American League Championship Series.
Tigers’ fans across the country celebrated the moment with the team that looked down and out at one stage during the regular season. A lot of credit should be given to the skipper Jim Leyland who showed belief in players whenever his side was in a hole.
Tigers’ ability to dig out of mess is what has won them their second straight American League Central Division title.
The good work continued in Tigers’ Game 1 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. Doug Fister, Tigers’ starter in the opener, showed the stuff he is capable of, pitching seven sharp innings to make quick work of Yankees’ batting line-up.
It was a big win for the Tigers who started the game as underdogs. Miguel Cabrera, Delmon Young and Prince Fielder made useful contributions with the bat as the Tigers outclassed their American League opponents to take a 1-0 series lead.
“Jim [manager Leyland] said at the beginning, ‘You need 11 [postseason wins]’ and after we won the first one, he said, ‘We need today.’ And that’s what the focus is.”
“It feels great. Those two have been arguably our best pitchers throughout the whole season,” said catcher Alex Avila.
“We’re feeling really good about going home 2-0. Hopefully, we can play very good and close it out,” said Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera.
Anibal Sanchez started from where he left off as he produced a match winning performance in Game 2 to give Tigers a crucial 2-0 series lead. In his seven scoreless innings, Sanchez struck-out batters at regular intervals, helping Tigers dictate the terms.
The series now goes to Comerica Park on Tuesday where Justin Verlander will be waiting to finish off the Yankees.
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