Friday, October 27, 2006

On the Brink

The Tigers are in a position they did not want to find themselves in...down three games to one with game five being in St. Louis. The Cardinals have a chance to win the World Series at home in Busch Stadium. However, that will depend on a couple of factors, including the weather. Today is supposedly going to be the worst of the three rainy days in St. Louis. Actually, I was rather surprised last night's game was held because of the gloom and doom weather forecasts. Knowing the outcome now, I kind of wish last night's game was postponed.

One word to describe last night's game for me: heartbreaker. I missed the majority of the game because of work, but thankfully someone was keeping us updated on the score during our shift. First it was Tigers ahead 1-0, then 3-2. Then I listened to the game on the radio coming home from work, and that's when the wheel's came off. Fernando Rodney, who's an excellent pitcher but a terrible fielder, threw the ball over the first baseman's head (it looked like Polanco, strangely enough, from the replays) and into right field, allowing the tying run to come home. Then another run comes in for the Cardinals, and it's now 4-3. I just had a feeling it wasn't going to be the Tigers night, but then some hope. In the top of the eighth, Pudge hits a double for the Tigs, and he FINALLY broke out of his postseason slump. Next batter, Brandon Inge. He smacks a double himself, bringing Pudge home and now the game is tied! I thought the Tigers were gaining important momentum and were about to open the game up wide open. But they couldn't bring Inge home; even with 0 outs, and the inning ends on a double play.

Then came the Cardinals, effectively getting to Joel Zumaya and scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Craig Monroe just missed catching a fly ball by David Eckstien in left field, but the ball hits the top of his glove and falls to the field, allowing the run to come home and the score now being 5-4. From the seventh inning on, it was a devestating turn of events that left any Tigers' fans sick. It just wasn't the Tigers' night and the Cardinals took advantage of the Tigers' miscues and win the game.

I tell ya what, St. Louis has been getting all of the breaks in this series. I can't tell you how frustrating it was when Zumaya pitched and saw a couple of his pitches called balls. But when the Tigers were batting, those same pitches were called strikes. I do not want to blame the umps for the Tigers failings, but it was obvious from game four that Zumaya in particular was squeezed on a couple of those pitches. It was an unfortunate turn of events and that's what lead to him walking the first batter in the eight inning. How can you forget Granderson's fall in center field. Another routine fly ball that ends up turning into disaster for the Tigers. Of course the wet field from two days of rain in St. Louis hasn't helped matters, but if Craig Monroe caught his fly ball and the same for Granderson, last night's game just might've been a Tigers victory. The same goes for Rodney; if he would've properly fielded that ball and thrown it perfectly to first base, then nobody would be complaining about the Tigers' pitchers causing all four of the Tigers' errors in the World Series. But it's a painfully obvious stat today, now that the Tigers are training 3-1 in the series.

So the all-important game five is tonight in St. Louis. The Cardinals have an opportunity to win the World Series on their home field in front of their fans. Former Tiger Jeff Weaver will pitch for the Cardinals, while Justin Verlander goes for the Tigers. Many are questioning Jim Leyland's decision to go with Verlander in game five since he struggled in his last outing against the Cardinals. But why go with Kenny Rogers in such a hostile environment, especially after "smudge-gate"? I don't know that I particularly agree on going with Verlander, but I certainly agree on saving Kenny Rogers until game six in Detroit. I think Verlander is worn out from this season and may be running on fumes. However, I hope he has just enough to pitch a good game for the Tigers and keep the Cardinals from scoring very little. When Verlander has his best stuff, he's dominating. Hopefully Placido Polanco will contribute in tonight's game and be the last of the Tigers to break out of their offensive slump. We also need to get Magglio Ordonez going tonight as well, since he really hasn't done a whole lot in the World Series, either. If we can score a lot of runs early, then tonight's game will be in the bag for the Tigers and a return trip to Detroit is guarenteed.

At least prove Gene Wojciechowski wrong and bring the series back home to Detroit (check ESPN.com regarding the article). :-P

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