The Detroit Tigers are in the World Series after sweeping the New York Yankees in the ALCS. They are red hot and have won five consecutive games. With this momentum and the team they possess, the Tigers will finish their season hoisting the World Series trophy.
Power Pitching
If you think Justin Verlander is the only good pitcher in this ball club, then think again. Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer have been awesome this postseason. Fister helped the Tigers get far last season as Verlander struggled, but the bad news for whoever survives the NLCS is that Verlander has figured it out.
After not having a good track record in the postseason, Verlander has only allowed two earned runs in 24.1 innings pitched in the Division and Championship Series. He went 23 consecutive innings without giving up a run.
As a hole, the Tigers' starting staff struck out 25 Yankees in the LCS.That is just a little over six strikeouts a game on average.
Had Papa Grande, Jose Valverde not surrendered those runs late in Game 1, the Tigers' bullpen would have been a complete force. Props has to be given to manager Jim Leyland for managing the situation well following Valverde's meltdown.
Heavy Hitters
You would think the Tigers were all about Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, but they have only been role players. Delmon Young carried the load in the ALCS and Jhonny Peralta chipped in as both players had more homers and RBI than the superstars of the team.
Rookie Sensation
Okay, he botched the last play at the plate versus the Oakland Athletics in Game 4 as he had the chance to throw out Seth Smith, but mishandlded the base hit in the outfield, but Avisail, A-vi-sa-il is tearing it up with the bat. He has five hits in 11 at bats, good for a .455 batting average. They call him Mini Miggy or Miggy Jr. and there has been no overhype with this kid.
Home Field What?
The Tigers took the first two games from the Yankees in their own home turf this postseason, so the team knows how to win when away from home. If anything, being on the road gives them the advantage of starting the offense early. Whether in St. Louis or in San Francisco, the Tigers know how to hit in big ball parks and they do not fold under pressure as opponent's fans get riled up.
Series Prediction
If the Tigers play the Giants I see this series ending in five games in favor of Detroit.
If the Tigers play the Cardinals, this series will go six games.
