American League Divisional Series

The Detroit Tigers are facing the Eastern Division Champions New York Yankees in the best of five ALDS.   The Tigers would travel to New York for the first 2 games with a scheduled classic pitching match-up in the Opener.   Justin Verlander would face C.C. Sabathia at Yankee Stadium will all of baseball watching.   However the weather wouldn't cooperate this evening with the game being suspended after 1 1/2 innings.   Major League Baseball now will play all playoff games to conclusion instead of having a rain shortened game.  The game was resumed on Saturday evening with the score tied at 1-1.  Game #2 pitchers now would be considered relief pitchers for the purpose of the record books.  The Yankees would go on to win Game #1 9-3 for a 1 game lead. 

Max Scherzer would be the savior that the Tigers needed in Game #2 by pitching six strong innings in the Tiger 5-3 win.  However the game wouldn't be without its moments.  Closer Jose Valverde came on in the 9th inning and gave up 2 runs before finishing the game in a pouring rain.  Miguel Cabrera lead the Tigers with 3 hits including a home run and Magglio Ordonez also chipped in with 3 hits.

Now the ALDS would move to Comerica Park for games 3 and 4 with the series tied at 1 game apiece.  Without a day off now the town was building with excitement for the Tigers to return to the World Series since losing in 2006 to the St. Louis Cardinals in 5 games.   The 2 home games were sold out and several thousand standing room tickets were sold.  Game #3 started with chilly skies above but a fired up crowd all waving their rally towels for the National television audience. 

Justin Verlander the likely Cy Young and MVP winner in 2011 took the mound for the Tigers in Game 3.  He would end up going 8 strong innings and fanning 11 batters.  He would provide the team with the push that they needed again to victory.   Detroit attempting to return to the World Series where they last played in 2006 losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in 5 games.   This year's team has several players having career years and a couple of playeres aquirred before the trade deadline have proved to be just right in the making. 

The Tigers would win game 3 by the score of 5-4 with Jose Valverde coming on and pitching a strong 9th inning.  Leading the way for the Tigers was leftfielder Delmon Young who blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.   The Yankees tied the game in the top of the 7th with a 2 out double by Brett Gardner to drive in 2 runs to tie the game at 4-4.   Verlander returned to a pumped up crowd and retired them in the 8th inning. 

Game #4 saw the City of Detroit preparing for a Divisional title in hopes of winning with Rick Porcello on the mound.   The Tigers didn't generate any type of offense on the night and saw the Yankees score single runs to build a 4-1 until the 6th inning.  They then exploded for 6 more runs in the 7th inning to send the large crowd for the exit doors.   The Yankees won 10-1 to send the series back to New York with the series tied at 2 games apiece.   The Texas Rangers sit waiting for the winner after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in their series.   The American League Championship Series will start in Texas on Saturday night.  First the Tigers have to take care of their business in New York on Thursday night with the hottest pitcher in baseball taking the mound Doug Fister.   I see good things happening Thursday night.