mgokev

October 6th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^

You have to trust your relievers.  Verlander has been great, but it's not like he threw a perfect game vs. the Yankees last time as well.  If you throw Verlander tonight, you likely lose the ALCS anyway without Verlander for Game 1.  When the end goal is the World Series, losing in the ALDS = losing in the ALCS.

I say you save him so he can throw games 1, 4, and 7 in the ALCS to win the series and go to the World Series.

EDIT: Not saying this is the "right" answer, but I'm sure this is the train of thought that Leyland is thinking.  I trust a guy like Leyland in this situation.

mgokev

October 6th, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^

You want your ace to throw Game 1 because of the off days in the series.  Whoever starts Game 1 can throw Game 4 and Game 7 on three days rest each.  That and the Rangers will be throwing their ace Game 1 due to the time off.  Rangers' #1 pitching three times gives them the advantage over throwing JV twice in games 2 and 5.

Moreover, if Detroit is down in the game, throwing Verlander won't help as you need offensive production for pitcher support.  Plus if you have a big lead (3+runs in innings 8 or 9), I wouldn't waste Verlander in the next series to close.  Additionally, JV hasn't ever pitched from the pen and that's different than starting the game.

You and I must have different theologies I suppose, but I think saving Verlander is the better long term decision.

tdcarl

October 6th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^

Anyone know of a link to the stream? I'm closing up in Ugo's in Pierpont and want to be able to watch it on my computer in the kitchen.

alwaystrueblue

October 6th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^

both ways. 

Would be nice to win this big and lose these butterfly's in my stomach.

 

Either way...the play-offs in any sport are exciting, but so much more when its our teams involved. 

MGoBender

October 6th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^

It's clear to see why Nova has had a ton of success.  That slider is pretty nasty.  First time through the ABs we struggled were b/c of that slider.  When we've attacked the fastball good things have happened.  Gotta look for that the next couple innings and knock Nova out of the game.

Mitch Cumstein

October 6th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^

3rd base with less than 2, the Tigers love to leave guys on in that situation.  At least we're still getting hits, but we will need more than 2 runs to win this one (or will we?).

MGoBender

October 6th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^

Relax.  He's been on 5 times in the series.  Not great, but he's not "killing us."  On the other hand, Avila, who has had ABs with RISP many times, is now 0-13. 

I'm not in the mood to get all "ef this guy" while we're leading an elimination game about guys who have worked their ass off and done a great job all year, but if you're going to pick someone to be pissed at, I don't know if Jackson is the guy.