Now things are clear; there is no more margin for error on one side, or taking it one elimination game at a time on the other. Like the last time teams from Detroit and the Bay Area played a deciding game after one team seemed on the verge of a spirited comeback after falling behind way behind, we take you now to Game 5 of what has sprouted into a thrilling American League Division Series. The Detroit Tigers won the first two games in Michigan; the A's won the next two games in the East Bay, buoyed by a remarkable -or for this team routine?- comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the ninth inning to play yet another night.
Since I brought up the Sharks-Red Wings and their epic 2011 Western Conference semifinal when the Sharks somehow got up from the standing eight count Detroit inflicted after taking Games 4, 5 and 6 following a 3-0 deficit to win the seventh game at H.P. Pavilion, your guess is as good as mine who wins the decisive Game 5 at the O.Co Coliseum.
Sure, the biased fan in me says there's no way the Athletics and their 36,000-plus secret service muscle in the home stands don't finish off this comeback in grand style. I do believe momentum can carry baseball teams to great feats. And the A's have all of it now. How could Detroit bounce back from what happened in the ninth inning Wednesday? If any franchise understands that letting a commanding lead in a five-game series gets away in a hurry, it's the Athletics, who represent fifty percent of baseball's five-game division series that were booted by teams winning the first two games and losing the next three. Baseball karma says the A's are owed some payback.
But the Baseball Gods also must fess up for creating this guy, a confident, borderline cocky, golden-armed meal ticket the Tigers hope will salvage their pride and advancement to the ALCS. Yes, as we all thought could happen in this series, Justin Verlander looms for the Athletics' hitters in a winner-take-all matchup, and candidly until Wednesday's remarkable surge in the ninth, Oakland batters were at the mercy of the Tigers' pitching carousel over the first eight.
Detroit manager Jim Leyland believes in the idea your starter goes 100 or so pitches, then you utilize the bullpen in the late innings. But the way the A's lit up closer Jose Valverde last night, you have to think Verlander will go all Greg Focker on his skipper when he asks to take the baseball away if his pitch count soars.
With both teams struggling to score runs, common sense suggests this shapes up as a low-scoring pitchers' duel (so expect the unexpected and a 10-9 type score!). But A's starter Jarrod Parker must match Verlander if the latter is on his game. The A's need to work the count whenever possible as in Game 1 when Verlander couldn't go the distance and dig into the Tigers' bullpen when it matters most. But Oakland also needs to make something happen against Verlander. Ditto Detroit's bats must wake up and some score runs off Parker. Of course, the A's trump card is they have the last at-bat. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder still haven't broken out, with apologies to Fielder's mammoth solo home run Wednesday. So keep an eye on how Parker attacks Detroit's sluggers early in the game. Bob Melvin will use his relievers when he needs to, and much of the last few weeks when the A's had to win his bullpen has dazzled.
Cheers, A's fans and enjoy what will be win or lose a special night.
Since I brought up the Sharks-Red Wings and their epic 2011 Western Conference semifinal when the Sharks somehow got up from the standing eight count Detroit inflicted after taking Games 4, 5 and 6 following a 3-0 deficit to win the seventh game at H.P. Pavilion, your guess is as good as mine who wins the decisive Game 5 at the O.Co Coliseum.
Sure, the biased fan in me says there's no way the Athletics and their 36,000-plus secret service muscle in the home stands don't finish off this comeback in grand style. I do believe momentum can carry baseball teams to great feats. And the A's have all of it now. How could Detroit bounce back from what happened in the ninth inning Wednesday? If any franchise understands that letting a commanding lead in a five-game series gets away in a hurry, it's the Athletics, who represent fifty percent of baseball's five-game division series that were booted by teams winning the first two games and losing the next three. Baseball karma says the A's are owed some payback.
But the Baseball Gods also must fess up for creating this guy, a confident, borderline cocky, golden-armed meal ticket the Tigers hope will salvage their pride and advancement to the ALCS. Yes, as we all thought could happen in this series, Justin Verlander looms for the Athletics' hitters in a winner-take-all matchup, and candidly until Wednesday's remarkable surge in the ninth, Oakland batters were at the mercy of the Tigers' pitching carousel over the first eight.
Detroit manager Jim Leyland believes in the idea your starter goes 100 or so pitches, then you utilize the bullpen in the late innings. But the way the A's lit up closer Jose Valverde last night, you have to think Verlander will go all Greg Focker on his skipper when he asks to take the baseball away if his pitch count soars.
With both teams struggling to score runs, common sense suggests this shapes up as a low-scoring pitchers' duel (so expect the unexpected and a 10-9 type score!). But A's starter Jarrod Parker must match Verlander if the latter is on his game. The A's need to work the count whenever possible as in Game 1 when Verlander couldn't go the distance and dig into the Tigers' bullpen when it matters most. But Oakland also needs to make something happen against Verlander. Ditto Detroit's bats must wake up and some score runs off Parker. Of course, the A's trump card is they have the last at-bat. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder still haven't broken out, with apologies to Fielder's mammoth solo home run Wednesday. So keep an eye on how Parker attacks Detroit's sluggers early in the game. Bob Melvin will use his relievers when he needs to, and much of the last few weeks when the A's had to win his bullpen has dazzled.
Cheers, A's fans and enjoy what will be win or lose a special night.
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