Game 1: Marlins 3, Tigers 2.
After serving his 50 game suspension, Jhonny Peralta returned to the Tigers line up, starting the game in left field. While obviously the Tigers wanted to see if Jhonny could hold his own in the outfield, it was equally important to see if his timing at the plate had been interrupted. Jhonny came to swing tonight, looking like he hadn't missed much of a beat after posting all star caliber numbers before his suspension. Peralta's return to the six hole in the lineup should provide a huge boost to an offense that is struggling to score runs the last month of the season. As for his play in left field, Peralta had just two fielding opportunities, a fly ball he caught that was routine, while the other play cost the Tigers a run. A softly hit ball over a third baseman's head should never have scored the runner from first base, but Peralta took a poor angle to the ball and didn't seem urgent getting there and instead of just two runs crossing the plate, the Marlins took a 3-0 lead. That is something that he can get better at, but will those improvements show in time for the postseason? If Peralta starts in left field it will be a big time risk and Jim Leyland will either be genius if he drives in runs or the goat if his defense costs the Tigers a game. Leyland managed the game much like a spring training game, subbing guys in and out at will. He accomplished two goals in this game. Scheduled starter Rick Porcello was moved to the bullpen and got some action as a reliever, a role he will play in the postseason. Porcello's role out of the bullpen should be to start an inning fresh, because he usually will give up a hit per inning, allowing 185 hits in 177 innings this year. That's not a problem when there are no runners on base, but if you bring him in with runners in scoring position, like Jim did in this game, that's not setting him up for success. That situation calls for a guy like Alburqureque or Rondon, who are more swing and miss pitchers, rather then pitching to contact like Porcello. We will see how Porcello is used but he can come in and give you some solid innings if he is used correctly. Leyland also got out of the game getting his regulars some rest and kept everyone healthy. Jose Iglesias returned for his first start after being hit by a pitch on his hand against Seattle over a week ago. Miguel Cabrera received a nice standing ovation and cheers from the Marlins crowd every time he came to the plate. Maybe its just me but its weird to cheer for an opposing player louder then any of your own, right? And I understand the first time he comes to the plate, but every time is kind of crossing the line. Miami fans should be ashamed!
Game 2: Marlins 2, Tigers 1.
The Tigers pitching staff celebrated today, at the beginning of the game at least, as Anibal Sanchez recorded his first strikeout of the game, The Tigers set the record for most stakeouts in a season, breaking the old mark of 1404 set by the Cubs in 2002. Sanchez was great, much better then his last few starts, as he threw his off speed pitches for strikes more often, using only 33 pitches through 3 innings, while striking out 5 of 9 batters faced, he was perfect through 3. Leyland only kept him in for 5 innings, before handing the ball over to the bullpen which was solid until the 9th inning. Downs, Alburquerque and Smyly combined for 3 hitless innings and the tigers led 1-0 going to the 9th. Enter usually reliable Benoit, who proceeded to give up a single-walk-single combination to allow the Marlins to tie the game. He sure has picked a bad week to blow his first two saves of the year. Evan Reed came in for the 10th and was unbelievably wild, walking two batters and hitting one in the head before allowing a bases loaded single to end the game. Again Leyland just wanted the game over so he left Reed in there, even though he was awful, but Benoit is the real concern. Even the best closers blow saves here and there and lets hope Benoit is just getting his out of his system before the playoffs. His confidence and composure in the 9th inning come playoff time will be absolutely critical if the Tigers plan on making a deep run this October. Jhonny Peralta continued to swing the bat well, he has 3 hits in his 9 at-bats since returning from suspension. He didn't see any action in left field today as Sanchez was striking everyone out and he played a couple of uneventful innings at shortstop as well. The young Marlins starter Eovaldi showed some bright flashes, his slider was deadly when he controlled it, but he will need to mix the slider in more effectively as his career progresses, as well as developing a change up to keep hitters off his 97 mph fastball because it has no movement. The Tigers had 9 hits, but were 0-5 with runners in scoring position and are just 2-12 thus far in the series.
Game 3: Marlins 1, Tigers 0.
Well that was quite a way to end the regular season. The Tigers offense was asleep, all game long, literally. The Detroit Tigers, the number two ranked offense in all of baseball, was no-hit in game number 162. Miami's pitcher Henderson Alverez needed just 99 pitches to strike out 4, walk just 1 and record 27 outs without allowing a hit. He didn't get to celebrate the way most no-hitters are celebrated because his offense gave him no support through the first 8 innings and the game was tied 0-0 going to the bottom of the 9th. That was due to three Tigers starters who combined to allow just 4 hits, walk just one, and strikeout 13 Marlins. Verlander was dominant for his second consecutive start, the big test will to see if he can carry that momentum into the playoffs, but the Tigers and their fans must feel the best they have all season about their ace regaining his perennial Cy Young contender form. Doug Fister came in to pitch an inning of relief since he wont take the mound again for a minimum of 9 days, if the series goes to game 4. Rick Porcello followed with another easy inning in relief, starting off the inning with no one on base. Then it was Luke Putkonon's turn. Two singles, a wild pitch and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Luke then threw his second wild pitch of the inning, allowing Stanton to score from third, and the Marlins to complete the no hitter for Alverez. Johnny Peralta was 0-3 with three fly outs in this game and finished his three games back 3 for 12, but he didn't strike out, which shows that his timing was not affected much over the layoff. Hopefully for the Tigers, during the next four days off they can find their offense before game 1 versus the A's on Friday. It will mostly come down to clutch hitting, getting runners home when they are in scoring position. The other big question will be the starting rotation, and what order Verlander, Scherzer and Sanchez are slotted in the first three games.
Series notes:
- Cecil Fielder made an appearance, talking to all the Tigers players in the dugout while game 1 was going on. If the division wasn't wrapped up there's no way Leyland allows distractions like that so that should tell you how much he cared about this series. He couldn't get it over with fast enough.
- Polanco made a great catch in game 1, leaping over the railing into the stands for the out.
- In game 1 umpire Tom Hallion's strike zone was essentially anything within the white lines. Awful.
- The Tigers finished the year striking out a new major league record 1428 batters this season.
- The Tigers finished the season with a 93-69 record, just as I predicted they would nearly a month ago. Cleveland finished 92-70, just one game behind Detroit.
- I would start JV in game 1, Sanchez in game 2 and Max at home in game 3. That way, Verlander could go in game 5 if needed and Max could start game 1 and 5 of the ALCS if they get there and Sanchez could start game 2 and 6 and JV would be able to come back for games 3 and 7 in the ALCS.
The Tigers travel to Oakland for the first two games of the best of 5 ALDS.
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