ALDS: Tigers vs. Yankees

[racosun]

So far, not so good. Nate Robertson tanked badly, and Jim Leyland stuck with him at least one inning too long. Heading into the seventh inning of game one, the Tigers are down 7-3. Let's hope we win this thing in four games, because the idea of Nate pitching game 5 doesn't seem all that great.

[tigers527]

So far, not so good. Nate Robertson tanked badly, and Jim Leyland stuck with him at least one inning too long. Heading into the seventh inning of game one, the Tigers are down 7-3. Let's hope we win this thing in four games, because the idea of Nate pitching game 5 doesn't seem all that great.

I actually do not think Nate did that poorly....except the 3rd inning of course. I thought Nate really lost his "mojo" on the 1-2 pitch against Jeter in the 3rd (like Jeter needs any help????) looked pretty good in relation to everything the Ump was calling a strike, tonight. Not to be a sour puss or anything, but for those of you with TvO or the like, go and check. That call was horrid....since right after that it was nothing but hard hit balls. Perhaps, if Nate comes up with the Damon dribbler and then gets that called 3rd strike, there would of been 2 outs and no one on, instead you have 2nd and 3rd with no outs. And that there was the game.....Unless, there is 9th innning dramatics.

[racosun]

Four runs ain't that bad, but giving up those 8 really hurt. If our main strength is our pitching, and the Yankees are going to be doing this to it, we're in for a quick sweep. We had our chances tonight, but didn't capitalize. After the Kansas City sweep, I'm not sure we really could have expected much better of an effort from the Tigers than what we saw in this game. We need to steal game 2, and we need Verlander to be light's out in order to do that.

[malt-tones]

Ya know what Tigers fans, this is the happiest I could be about a 4-8 drubbing by the renowned and celebrated legendary Yankee franchise. We actually played with them for the most part, and outplayed them in some parts (this is where the IF section comes in).

IF we do not allow a five-run inning, we win. IF Jeter does not go 5 for 5, we may win. IF we get some more timely hits, we win. IF we get to their middle relievers quicker, we may win. IF, IF, IF,IF, ,IF.

Keys to victory in this posters opinion:
Keep Jeter at bay, he is the heart and soul of the NYY, he is the glue, so let’s dissolve him. Let’s make their pitchers pitch, put some pressure on them and not our batters. If we can neutralize the starters we can get to the “soft underbellies” of the middle relievers, as Timmy McCarver would say (I miss Rod & Mario). Yup, their nine hole hitter bats .340; however, our nine hole hitter has 28 (?) home runs. They won a game by doubling our score, so this should lull them into a false sense of security, which should allow the Tigers to sneak up and win game two. The look of worry on the NYY fans with a three run lead says something about the confidence in the relievers that take the mound before Riveria, so let’s neutralize Mariano’s effect.

Game two is absolutely crucial, it is a must win game for the Tigers! I feel, oddly enough, the Tigers are poised to win game two. The NYY really didn’t outplay us, things just did not go the Tigers way.

Maybe I am a fool, but losing to the NYY 8-4 on the road with the number three starter is almost better than losing to the Oakland A’s at home 3 -2 with the AL’s Cy Young award winner!

[NotAboutEgo]

At least the Tigs are in the playoffs after almost 20 years. They've had a terrific season, and they went from being one of the worst teams in baseball for many, many years to going to the top and being the best for a long time. How can we be unhappy with that?

Do we want to whip the Yankees? Of course. Do we want to win it all? Of course.

Considering how the Tigs went downhill since Polanco went on the DL to how badly they played against KC at home to playing better last night and staying in the game for the most part, how can anyone be upset?

The Yankees had only ONE big inning, and it wouldn't have been as big if Nate would have fielded that grounder or if he wouldn've let Polanco field it. Other than that, the Yanks didn't do much, and we would have been ahead or would have been tied or behind by only 1 run.

Hopefully the Tigs can go up from here and show the Yanks they aren't unbeatable. The Yanks only had 2 more wins and 2 less losses than the Tigers during the regular season. Doesn't seem to be so bad to me.

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NotAboutEgo]

Ya know what Tigers fans, this is the happiest I could be about a 4-8 drubbing by the renowned and celebrated legendary Yankee franchise. We actually played with them for the most part, and outplayed them in some parts (this is where the IF section comes in).

IF we do not allow a five-run inning, we win. IF Jeter does not go 5 for 5, we may win. IF we get some more timely hits, we win. IF we get to their middle relievers quicker, we may win. IF, IF, IF,IF, ,IF.

Keys to victory in this posters opinion:
Keep Jeter at bay, he is the heart and soul of the NYY, he is the glue, so let’s dissolve him. Let’s make their pitchers pitch, put some pressure on them and not our batters. If we can neutralize the starters we can get to the “soft underbellies” of the middle relievers, as Timmy McCarver would say (I miss Rod & Mario). Yup, their nine hole hitter bats .340; however, our nine hole hitter has 28 (?) home runs. They won a game by doubling our score, so this should lull them into a false sense of security, which should allow the Tigers to sneak up and win game two. The look of worry on the NYY fans with a three run lead says something about the confidence in the relievers that take the mound before Riveria, so let’s neutralize Mariano’s effect.

Game two is absolutely crucial, it is a must win game for the Tigers! I feel, oddly enough, the Tigers are poised to win game two. The NYY really didn’t outplay us, things just did not go the Tigers way.

Maybe I am a fool, but losing to the NYY 8-4 on the road with the number three starter is almost better than losing to the Oakland A’s at home 3 -2 with the AL’s Cy Young award winner!

Bingo, bingo!!!

[racosun]

As much of a bummer as it is to lose to the Yankees in the playoffs, I still feel more stung by the Royals sweep. For some reason, the term "wasted potential" comes to mind when looking at the end of the year, and those players know it too. Most of our team looked jittery and scared before the game started, and when the Tigs fell back 5-0. Only when Monroe smacked that homer did they understand that these guys aren't as unbeatable as the media and Yankees fans are saying. I think that homer, although hit during a loss, could be what catapults this Tigers team back into gear. At least, I hope.

[moldyoldie]

Count me among those who'd rather face the Yankees in a five-game series as opposed to seven. I, too, think this overly-vaunted team from the Big Apple can be beaten with a few breaks and by playing smart, error-free baseball.

Let's face it, calling for the hit-and-run (or was it a double steal?) early in the game with two on, one out, the game scoreless, and Ordonez the lead runner was dubious strategy to say the least. Pudge looked brutal on that swing, as he did all night at the plate.

It was good seeing Granderson get three hits!

I don't think, as Leyland suggests, that we have to throw caution to the wind. I like our pitching versus theirs. Good pitching and defense can overcome good hitting. As has been pointed out, if Robertson fields that squiggler cleanly it could've been a different ballgame.

I'm predicting a heart-pounding Tigers victory in Game 2 (rookie Verlander will come through!) and the Yankees taking the series in 5 games.

[KCGHOST]

Leyland has just been awful the last two months.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Leyland has just been awful the last two months.

It's been burnout that got him away from managing the last couple times, hasn't it? I hope that hasn't happened here, at least not yet.

[racosun]

It's been burnout that got him away from managing the last couple times, hasn't it? I hope that hasn't happened here, at least not yet.

I don't think he's getting burnt out again, he just had a 10 game lead to play with and wanted to make some adjustments, some assesments, and other things you do when you think you're sitting on a playoff spot in late July. I'm sure he'll be going for the throat every night next season...no laying up.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I don't think he's getting burnt out again, he just had a 10 game lead to play with and wanted to make some adjustments, some assesments, and other things you do when you think you're sitting on a playoff spot in late July. I'm sure he'll be going for the throat every night next season...no laying up.

I do agree with you. The past three situations, the Pirates letting all their stars go, the Marlins letting all their stars go and the Rockies playing in a pitcher's nightmare all were not good situations. The Tigers have a good mix at present and a strong farm system. That's motivating enough.

[racosun]

Very good game 2 so far, heading into the ninth. Hopefully we can hang on and steal one.

[racosun]

This was a vintage Tigers performance here! They played like thier mid-season motto: Nine Innings. They didn't get too down when Damon yanked that pitch into the upper deck. And how about Granderson? He was a gamer tonight. The 'pen was great, and Verlander stood up in the faces of the Yanks and held them back long enough for his team to wear Mussina down. Hopefully The Big Unit is a bit stiff in that chilly Motown weather, and we pound him.

Zumaya @ 103!?! Wow.

[Seattle1]

Congratulations Tigers on your game 2 victory. Let's go Tigers! Restore the Roar!

[NotAboutEgo]

I'll be at the game tonight... can't wait!!!!!! Would be lovely to win this all at home!!!!

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[racosun]

Wow, a shutout against the unbeatable Yankees! Kenny Rogers was the story of this game. He was very dominant tonight, and it's good to see him exorcise some of those old playoff demons. Carlos Guillen continues to hit well, and the team is scoring runs without any help from it's clean-up hitter, Magglio. Just think, two days ago nobody gave the Tigers any chance to beat the Yankees. Now, in approximately 18 hours, the Yankees season could be over and the Tigers could be awaiting the arrival of the Oakland A's for the ALCS. Great crowd for this game, too. Nice and loud.

[sennalvr]

WOW! 6-0 against the Yankees. And now 3-0 in the 3rd inning? Who'd have guessed? I'm gonna continue to pick the Yankees. I picked the Twins to go all the way and it turned out to be the kiss-of-death for them. Maybe I can do the same for the Yankees!!

[Jackal5150]

4th inning and Bonderman almost looks as dominating as Rogers last night. Lets hope he can keep it up.

[Jackal5150]

Hey do you guys think Leyland will use Zoom again?

I sort of wish he put Rodney in last night instead of Zoom and Jones. Rodney has struggled recently but Leyland could have pulled the plug on him if a couple of guys got on.

[Seattle1]

Hey do you guys think Leyland will use Zoom again?

I sort of wish he put Rodney in last night instead of Zoom and Jones. Rodney has struggled recently but Leyland could have pulled the plug on him if a couple of guys got on.

Well, so far Bonderman has finished seven strong innings and he's only thrown 71 pitches....

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I tip my hat to you Detroit.

The best TEAM has won.

In fact this season's Yankees are not team. Just a bunch of overpriced spoiled brats.

[Mattingly]

Congrats on the series win. Your pitchers and team did very well.

[racosun]

Need I say more? Well, maybe one more thing: Bring on the A's!!

[Dodgerfan1]

Need I say more? Well, maybe one more thing: Bring on the A's!!

The A's are more than ready for you guys!