18 thoughts on “Playoffs Thursday”

  1. I’ll get things started.

    Cabrera led the league in AVG, OBP, and doubles, and was second behind Bautista in SLG, OPS, and OPS+. Since MVP voters love taking into consideration whether a player helped their team get to the postseason, it’d seem like Cabrera would be a lock over guys like Bautista, Ellsbury, and Granderson. But I don’t think he’ll get it because he’s been kind of overlook by the national media.

    Discuss.

    1. Sorry, I just realized this post wasn’t about tomorrow’s match-ups. So…

      Go Tigers! I like our chances against the Yankees.

    2. If you have to pick a position player from a team that made the playoffs, there is no doubt that it should be Cabrera. None of the Yankees, Rays or Rangers were close by any measure.

      Arguments could be made for Ellsbury — who was part of an epic collapse, but contributes more defensively — or Bautista — who was slightly better offensively, but plays for a team that went nowhere.

      Besides the fact that Cabrera surged late in the season after the MVP candidate list had been set in people’s minds, he’s also hurt by the fact a lot of his value comes from getting 108 walks. The headline numbers don’t look as strong if you only consider BA, HR, RBI.

      Of course, his chances are also hurt by the fact he may not even be the most valuable contributor on his own team…

      1. I’m with you KW, Cabrera has really flown under the radar this year. Sure, his numbers have been even better as of late, but he’s been just as important to us all year. I think part of the reason is that the local media focus has been largely on JV, and the national focus has followed. I think we could make a very strong argument for JV and Cabrera as 1-2, though my vote would probably be JV for Cy Young, and Michael Young for MVP. He’s been a rock in their injury plagued lineup.

    1. Hardly a great moment, but one of the most memorable moments of the season had to be Raburn’s assisted home run.

  2. Jason Beck surmising Perry, Pauley, Penny, and Santos on playoff roster, Worth, Rhymes, and Below out (based on peeking at which names are still up in the locker too
    ). Actual rosters not due until Friday 10:00 am.

    Penny and Perry?? (groan…)

    1. That should say “locker room” above. He doesn’t mention Guillen either way; and there are 27 names up, including Boesch, who is definitely out. It should give you a good idea though (Worth has confirmed in a tweet that he is out).

  3. tomorrow night’s NYC weather – 58 degrees 30% chance of rain – Saturday’s high is 65 with a 40% chance of rain. Rain delays can reek havoc on a starting rotation… and the yankees have better middle relief than DET.

    Call me crazy, but i think the Tiger’s chances increased by opening against the Yankees in the first round. Yankee stadium (and the yankee lineup) would likely shred the likes of Scherzer and Porcello, whereas Comerica should be a bit kinder to both of them. Needless to say the Tigers will have to win at least one (of the 1st two) in NY – and i think Verlander and Fister give the Tigers the best chance to accomplish this.

    1. If JV or Fister get rain-delayed out of a game early, I gotta imagine they’d treat it as a side-session in bullpen and bring ’em back on 2 days rest.

  4. What a Season and now what a Post Season! It is the morning before the first playoff game and I still can’t believe we made it! What an August and September…come on October!

    While you probably already heard it, my thoughts on the difference between 2010 and 2011 are:

    A. Avila at Catcher…BTW what was the name of last year’s catcher? Also note Leyland had Avila batting number 9 on opening day.
    B. Peralta at Shortstop…not only a good bat but consistent fielding
    C. Doug Fister….Number 5 becomes number 2
    D. Delmon Young…Stronger consistent bat in the outfield
    E. Better team chemistry and commitment.

    As for Verlander being MVP, these days a normal good season for pticher is 15 wins. Take those nine extra wins and it is the difference in the Tigers winning the Central or being in an end of the season catfight with Cleveland. Also, winning promotes winning. Verlander’s influence and leadership on the staff can’t be measured but was certainly instrumental.

    On a final note, in this five-game series it is typical to see the Yankees dominate the media with little promotion for Detroit or whatever team they are playing (except on the MLB channel). If the Tigers repeat the 2006 series with the Yankees, afterwards the media will talk about who messed up on the Yankees and won’t give the Tigers any credit. Deal with it as it is the media standard blueprint (and we didn’t get the memo)! Meanwhile, let’s enjoy watching the Tigers quietly go about their business. This is where Leyland will earn his bucks in getting and keeping his team in the playoffs.

    Enjoy the series as we all earned it.

    Always a Tiger!

  5. Beck tweets: Tigers roster for Division Series is out. Porcello and @BradPenny are on it, as is Santos. Pauley, Below off. Will be on tigers.com shortly.

    Thinking about issues like rain and extra innings leaves me ok with Penny making the team.

  6. David Pauley left off the roster – Penny and Perry make it.

    I was thinking Perry pitched himself off the playoff roster because of his game 162 performance, but I guess not. I hope we see both Penny and Perry pitch the 8th and 9th innings of game 3 after we are up 18-4.

    http://twitter.com/#!/beckjason

    1. Also September upstart Ramon Santigo bats well against Crooked Cap!

      BTW, Francona is out in Boston in a hastily decision. To keep it on topic, will his Sox go from Red to White next season?

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