Wow, who was expecting that? The Tigers, fresh off their grueling five-game series win over the Athletics, having to go to the Bronx and start the American League Championship Series without starting their money pitcher, somehow survived another ninth-inning meltdown by now embattled closer Jose Valverde to win Game 1. Then a Then a sparkling start by Annibal Sanchez combined with a horribly blown call paved the way for Sunday's 3-0 victory.
Now comes the really good news for the Tigers: Justin Verlander gets a chance to torment Yankees' fans the way he broke the collective hearts of Athletics Nation when he starts Game 3 at Comerica Park Tuesday with an opportunity to go up 3-0 in the series. Factor in the Yankees losing their heartbeat in Derek Jeter due to his season-ending broken ankle, and the deliciously melodramatic and over-analyzed Alex Rodriguez soap opera, and you wonder if Detroit could possibly blow this opportunity to reach the World Series.
Not that it matters now, as baseball isn't like football where there are the dreaded "quality losses", but with every successive Detroit win it at least justifies its ALDS escape against the Athletics. There was nothing to be ashamed of at all for the A's regardless, but if the Tigers take care of the Yankees in five games or even less the way the series is evolving into (but never count out the Yankees, even a Jeter-less Yankees, just because they're the damn Yankees), Oakland's players and staff can take pride they pushed Detroit to the brink.
Now comes the really good news for the Tigers: Justin Verlander gets a chance to torment Yankees' fans the way he broke the collective hearts of Athletics Nation when he starts Game 3 at Comerica Park Tuesday with an opportunity to go up 3-0 in the series. Factor in the Yankees losing their heartbeat in Derek Jeter due to his season-ending broken ankle, and the deliciously melodramatic and over-analyzed Alex Rodriguez soap opera, and you wonder if Detroit could possibly blow this opportunity to reach the World Series.
Not that it matters now, as baseball isn't like football where there are the dreaded "quality losses", but with every successive Detroit win it at least justifies its ALDS escape against the Athletics. There was nothing to be ashamed of at all for the A's regardless, but if the Tigers take care of the Yankees in five games or even less the way the series is evolving into (but never count out the Yankees, even a Jeter-less Yankees, just because they're the damn Yankees), Oakland's players and staff can take pride they pushed Detroit to the brink.
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