Random Thoughts On The Tigers By Matt Dery
1. The Tigers are better than the Yankees. This was no fluke. This was no "slaying of the giant." Not at all. Pitching and grit is what wins in the postseason. Tigers have more of it.
2. Joe Girardi got exposed in this series. He trotted out the same lineup for five games, his team looked tight, and his decision-making in this series graded out as a D+. His merry-go-round routine with the bullpen early in last night's game made him look foolish and desperate. Jim Leyland pushed all of the right buttons and his club responded.
3. I rarely complain about the TV announcers being "pro-Yankees", but this crew from TBS in the ALDS really was lame. They seemed very smitten with the Bronx Bombers and even the crew in the truck provided the viewers with way too many shots of the Yankees fans after the final out last night and not enough of the Tigers celebration.
4. I would be concerned about Delmon Young's oblique injury. The Tigers need a healthy DY in this series if they are going to beat the Rangers. Texas has a big crop of lefties and Young's RH bat is a necessity. Ryan Raburn has had a good second half, but I am terrified of him in the field, especially in left.
5. I think Doug Fister can actually pitch better. I thought he got away with a lot of mistakes last night that the "tight" Yankee hitters fouled off instead of lining somewhere. Texas will not miss those pitches, their lineup is too good. Regardless, Fister really battled and earned that win.
