AL Central Smack Talk

[TrustMeIamRight]

Detroit will be lucky to win this series...Oak is a better team than last year, while Detroit stayed the same..

Really? Detroit stayed the same? I guess you are right if you don't consider Detroit adding Torii Hunter and VMart (who both hit over .300 and drove in 84 and 83 runs -- FYI both players would have led the KC Royals in RBI's)

They added Jose Iglesias who upgraded the Tigers defense at SS immensely and it has given the Tigers the chance to move Peralta to LF to keep his bat in the lineup.

Valverde is gone at closer and Benoit took over -- he blew one save this year and had 2.01 ERA. Drew Smyly was in the starting rotation last year and he is now in the bullpen (had a 2.37 ERA) They traded to bring in Jose Veras mid-season.

So yeah -- other than shortstop, right field, left field, designated hitter, closer and setup man. Detroit is the same team. LMAO.

You can continue to try and make BS remarks about the Tigers, but the simple fact is, it is the PLAYOFFS. The best teams in baseball are the teams still playing. Oakland is an extremely good team and they play the kind of baseball that gives the Tigers fits. There is a reason why the A's have won a very tough AL West in back to back years -- it isn't that they are just really lucky. They are very good.

Detroit is going to have to earn every win if they want to make it back to the World Series. Having to beat Oakland on the road in game 5 and you are rewarded with having to play arguably the hottest team in baseball in a 7 game series in Boston.

It is easy to sit back and talk trash about a team in the playoffs, when you haven't had the opportunity to watch your team play in a meaningful game in October in almost 3 decades. Everything is magnified -- especially in these short series.

 

[burfboy]

VMart is a big addition back from his injury.....the vet bat is showing up and great 2nd half....

 

[dougplayer]

So the As wont send fat boy out there again. Colon hasn't beat the Tigers since 2003.
S Grey will pitch. Think he can match verlander again?
I doubt it. Tiger bats just seen this kid. I think Tiger get to the kid. he wont go 6 innings.

Tigers 7 As 2
Verlander pitches into the 8th inning.
book it dano

 

[dougplayer]

364 days ago...
we had the same match up
As vs Tigers in a game 5. to go to the ALCS
Tigers have the same pitcher. Justin verlander. He went 9 shut out innings for the win.

The As are 1 for 11 in elim games. They just cant seal the deal.

I hope I hope Leyland puts Jhonny at SS.we need his bat. plus we could put Dirks or Kelly in left field. Iggy could come in late for defense or PR.
I prefer Dirks over kelly

 

[dougplayer]

no word yet if the NHL has put Hertl in the HOF.
Shark fans are asking the league for it.

 

[Howie115]

TrustMeIamRight -- Superb post (#6741). I cannot add anything to it.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Cleveland just can't catch a break I guess... http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...-incoming-fbi-coming-after-haslam-family.html

 

[Howie115]

Tigers 7 As 2
Verlander pitches into the 8th inning.
book it dano

Some folks in my bowling league last night were throwing around predictions, and I offered 2-1 Tigers. I'm not as confident as you that the Tigers will do much against Gray, but hoping someone on our side runs into one of his 96-MPH heaters for a 2-run homer. Maybe even an unsung guy like Donnie Kelly. Verlander goes 8 IP / 1 run, and Benoit seals the deal.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

The sharks DISMANTLED a rangers team from the wussy conference. No wonder the wings went over there.



don't worry the sharks will choke in the playoff like they always do.

That comment may have worked 5 years ago. They are far from chokers recently. Usually just run into the best of the west....after taking out the Wings of course.

And if you don't know mine and Dougys fun banter by now...I suggest you just stay clear like most. Because you will manage to come out looking dumber than him. At least he knows its all a game between us.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

This game tonight should be great. I'm pulling for the A's but ultimately just want another beauty like game 4 before the epic A's choke(even then they somehow still made it interesting.).

Hopefully its a completely pitchers duel again or the teams exchange blow after blow.

And whoever wins...please beat the fucking Red Sox.

 

[dougplayer]

Verlander a GEM! a GEM I say.
I called that one didn't I boys???????????

3 more outs to go!!

 

[dougplayer]

Leyland is pulling after 8...wish he could back out there..

8 innings 2 Hs 1 BB, 0 Rs.. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR!!!

A GEM I say!

 

[broncosmitty]

Verlander a GEM! a GEM I say.
I called that one didn't I boys???????????

3 more outs to go!!

Damn Straight Doug!

 

[dougplayer]

3 more outs till Boston!

 

[dougplayer]

Tigers pitchers set strike out record in a 5 game post season game

 

[dougplayer]

Tigers win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
back to the ALCS 3rd straight year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TIGERS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Congrats Tigers celebrate on the field all you want it's ok to do that LOL!!

 

[dougplayer]

NO pool in Oakland lol

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Well...now I gotta root for the Tigers. Red Sox better hope the Tigers awful bats don't wake up. Could be bad news.

A's k too much. Donaldson probably biggest fluke season of all time. Every game I've seen him last month he's been awful.

 

[dougplayer]

As struck out 57 times against tiger pitching a recored in a 5 game series.
give credit to tiger pitchers.

Jackson hunter and Fielder have to have a better series agains Boston