Detroit Tigers start their ALCS campaign on winning note – MLB News
Manager Jim Leyland will be an extremely happy man these days. He had to face a lot of criticism when Tigers were not performing to their potential. However, Leyland is known for his ability to get the best out of his players in pressure situations and that
is exactly what he has done this season.
Tigers looked down and out a month before the end of the regular season but Leyland kept the players focused on the task at hand. Tigers raised their game play considerably in September to claim their second straight American League Central Division title.
"I didn't know we had to take that many, but we have been taking punches all year," Leyland said. "If we are going to be good enough, we have to be able to take a punch, and we took a big punch. We took a right cross in the ninth inning and we survived it."
Full of confidence, Leyland and company continued their good work in the best five American League Division Series against the inform Oakland Athletics. With momentum on their side, it will be fair to say that Tigers are the strong favourites for this year’s
World Series title.
Executing their game plan to perfection, Tigers edged past the Yankees 6-4 in Game 1 of American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening. It is very clear the Tigers have an edge over the Yankees in the pitching department of the
game.
"We're big leaguers," said Delmon Young. "Things are going to happen. The other team wants to drive Mercedes-Benzes and eat [at] Morton's, too."
"All those guys did a good job against me. There's nothing I could do. Thank God my team won," said reliever Jose Valverde.
Starting pitcher Doug Fister used his fastball and sliders very effectively to tie up the Yankees’ batters. Relief pitcher Phil Coke and Drew Smyly also pitched with great control and accuracy to help Tigers edge past their American League rivals. Delmon
Young is peaking just at the right time and it will be interesting to see if the Tigers can continue their good work to sweep the Yankees.
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