Gator's Blog: Game 5 Was Intense
I've never had such an intense viewing experience as I did last night with game 5 of the ALDS. It was nail biting time from the first pitch to the last thud of the catcher's mitt.
You have to appreciate the chess match between Jim Leyland and Joe Girardi, both managers wanted to win so badly. But in the end, the cool, calmed, and collected approach beat desperation. Leyland stuck to his guns and would not use his ace in Justin Verlander. Girardi orchestrated a constant stream of pitchers that never went further than two innings at a time, including using his ace Sabathia on just two day's rest. In the end, Leyland's players prevailed while Girardi's choice of bringing out C.C. looked like a mistake.
Everything about this game made you nervous, starting with the venue and the history of the Yankees. The short porch in right is always daunting, particularly with the vaunted lineup the home team throws at you, and yet, the Tigers were un-phased with Doug Fister setting the tone. Bases loaded no problem. Pitching to a steady stream of All Stars, no problem. Finishing off the Yankees on their own turf with the likes of Granderson, Cano, and A-Rod coming up in the 9th inning, NO PROBLEM.
The Tigers knocked off the Evil Empire by being better in all facets when they needed to be, in the deciding game. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't easy, but it was great nonetheless.
