New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers: ALDS Game 3 – MLB Post Game Analysis
Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira failed for the third time in as many games in the American League Division Series to see the New York Yankees collapse 4-5 against Detroit Tigers on Monday, October 3 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.
Boasting a strong offence, the Yankees have failed miserably after winning the first game rather comprehensively. Ivan Nova did a tremendous job from the mound to keep the Tigers at bay in game one, but Freddy Garcia and CC Sabathia failed to continue with
the harmony and lost their starts in subsequent games respectively.
Having split the first two games at the Bronx, the Yankees came under a lot pressure to win the third game of the series to avoid history and keep themselves in contention for the Championship Series. With their ace Sabathia on the mound, the Yankees would
have been hopeful of a win but that was not to be.
In 2006, the Yankees were in a similar situation. Needing just one win on the road against the Tigers, the Yankees failed on both occasions and thus crashed out of the Division Series. Here, they have dropped the first road game and with A.J. Burnett scheduled
to start game four; odds for history repeating itself remain on the higher side.
Historically speaking, in the last eight division series, the result of game two has been the result of the series for the Yankees. If this is to be believed, the Yankees should be packing their bags. However, if the offence improves considerably, the Yankees
might defy their record this time.
A-Rod was on the bench for most of the regular season and was expected to play his part in the playoffs. Teixeira impressed during that stretch but has failed since the onset of the post-season. Combined, the duo has gone 1-for-21 in three games thus far
and has only one chance to redeem glory.
Justin Verlander was central to Detroit’s win, pitching through to the eighth inning and allowing just four runs to the visitors. The showdown between Verlander and Sabathia was the most-awaited event of this series and the outcome was not what many would
have wanted. Yankees’ ace and most reliable pitcher was called off from the mound after 5.1 innings, but was lucky with a no-decision.
"This is the first time I've been in this situation and felt good. In 2006 as a rookie, I was pretty fatigued," Verlander said. "I've worked my tail off since then, and I feel like every year I've been ready for this. And this is why I work so hard. There's
no point in holding anything back now."
Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Magglio Ordonez failed for the Tigers in this game, but are expected to come out strongly in the next. Cabrera has been, by far, the best batter in Detroit’s line-up and with an inconsistent A.J. Burnett pitching for the
Yankees, the contest might get interesting.
Delmon Young failed in his five at-bats in game two and came under a lot of criticism for this. In a bid to prove his abilities, Young smashed a tiebreaking home-run in the seventh inning to give the Tigers a winning lead.
As expected, Jose Valverde tossed a perfect ninth inning to seal the game for the Tigers. A similar performance by the scheming closer might as well see the Tigers go through to the Championship Series as early as October 4.
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