I made the executive decision to basically do the MLB Playoffs like I did with the Brewers this season. Meaning the previews will be the same, highlights and lowlights will show up plus some recaps and bigger pieces. Hope you enjoy.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Friday October 4th - Max Scherzer v. Bartolo Colon 8:37 pm TBS
Game 2: Saturday October 5th - Justin Verlander v. Sonny Gray 8:07 pm TBS
Game 3: Monday October 7th - Jarrod Parker v. Anibal Sanchez 12:07 pm TBS
Game 4: Tuesday October 8th - Dan Straily v. Doug Fister 4:07 pm TBS (If Necessary)
Game 5: Thursday October 10th - Max Scherzer v. Bartolo Colon 8:07 pm TBS (If Necessary)
Five Things to Watch
Can Verlander find his groove again? - It is weird to tell a guy who had a 3.46 ERA that he had a bad season, but it is true. Verlander had 75 walks this season, his highest total since 2008, and his ERA is up almost a full run from last year plus his strikeout numbers have decreased since 2010. Verlander dominated the entire playoffs leading up to the World Series last season with two huge games against Oakland. If he finds his real good stuff again, look out American League.
How important is Game 1 for the A's - On a scale of 1 to 10, I am going to go with a nine. Last year's playoff matchup with Detroit, both teams held serve at home until Game 5. If the Tigers were somehow to win Game 1 with Verlander going in Game 2, things might get a little tight for a team some expect to get to the World Series. They need this win to get off on the right foot and ignite the tennis match that started in 2012 MLB Playoffs. Bartolo Colon being the ace of the Oakland staff blows my mind to the highest degree.
Lessons from 2012 - The traditional playoff format will make this more interesting than last year's series. Everyone thought the A's were going to come back and win this series after coming back with three in the ninth in Game 4 until Verlander went with Jon Taffer-style on everybody's asses. Two of last year's games involved the bullpen as the A's gave up a game in Detroit and the Tigers did the same thing in Game 4. Other than that, it was a lot of good pitching. I would expect the same.
Pay any attention to Detroit's awful final series? - Maybe I am looking too far into this one, but the Tigers were no-hit to end the season. They also did nothing against Miami that weekend. This will become a huge narrative if Detroit gets swept or only wins a game and honestly, it will be a ridiculous one yet that's how it works these days. It was clear the Tigers rested their big guns in Miami so I would not be surprised if there is a little rust at least for the first game of the series. I doubt it will affect them after the first game of the series though.
Importance of Prince Fielder - Interesting last year, Prince Fielder did not have a good playoffs. The team got themselves to the World Series with Fielder doing virtually nothing. He had a big playoffs in 2011 when he hit .370 and slugged three homers. Now, this has not been the biggest season for Fielder as he definitely had his ups and downs. I will be curious to see if Fielder plays better this time around with the Tigers.
Prediction
I have the A's winning in four games. This team is a lot like the Pirates of this year. Tons of inexperience still trying to figure everything out in October. This year, they know what it is like, same opponent as last year, different result.
Charlie.
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