The Tigers are currently the hottest team in baseball and have found their groove at the right time. Leyland's bunch is shutting teams out when their bats are not producing, and slugging the ball when the pitching is short of phenomenal. Justin Verlander is a sure victory each time he steps on the mound. The maturing all-star is becoming more like a super-star worthy of winning both the A.L. Cy Young and the A.L. Most Valuable Player (MVP), in my opinion. His presence on the diamond counts for at least one sure win per series come October. One win quickly becomes imperative in a best of seven showdown. Verlander's play has also inspired the performances of his fellow teammates on the staff.
The pitching staff of the Detroit Tigers has gone from slightly below average before the all-star break, to one of baseball's best. Fister is executing his gameplans like an ace. Penny is no longer pitching like a 33 year-old, but has finally started earning the paycheck to his one year, $3 million contract. Sherzer is striking people out as usual, and Porcello is finding ways to get the job done. The bullpen is also as sure handed as ever. No more worrying if Zumaya will be healthy enough to make an appearance, or wondering whether Todd Jones will perform like he's as old as his beard looks. Benoit and Valverde are getting the job done night after night. Valverde has yet to blow a save all season. His ability to close has been highly efficient to say the least. If the Tigers give him hits, they should be safe.
Detroit's position players have been doing just that: getting hits to support their pitchers. Miguel Cabrera, an MVP candidate along with Verlander, is quietly having another incredible year. Since the all-star break, he has hit .365%. Like Verlander rubs off on teammates, so does Miguel. Seven other Tigers are batting near or above .300% since the midpoint of the season in July. This doesn't even include guys like Austin Jackson or Magglio Ordonez, who are both extremely dangerous baseball players. Detroit is getting walk-off home runs from guys who don't normally hit them. They have had clutch hitting in pressure situations and have been at their best when their best has been needed. That is the sign of a great team.
The Detroit Tigers are playing like a great team. The combination of their excellent hitting and promising pitching has made them my favorite to win the American League. They are hotter than the Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox. Now, Detroit just needs to prove it when it matters...in October.
My pick to host Detroit for the 2011 World Series is Philadelphia. The foremost reason for this selection is because of their accomplished starting rotation. With Oswalt, Hamels, Halladay, and Lee, I don't think it matters who the fifth starter is. Heck, I could take the job and Philly would still win series after series. Post all-star game, the Phillies do not have a pitcher with a losing record. Halladay and Lee are doing their thing and leading like usual. Lee sits at 7-1 since the halfway point and Halladay maintains a win-loss record of 6-2. With such an exemplary staff, most teams would not need big name guys at the plate. The Phillies are fortunate enough to have both.
Their lineup consists of a number of hard-working, fully capable hitters like Polanco, Ibanez, Rollins, Utley, and home run hitter Ryan Howard. Not only does Philly have talent, but they also have experience. They know what it takes to win a ring. Charlie Manuel's club won theirs just three years ago in 2008. They hope to do so once more, and I believe they will. My final prediction is the Phillies will ruin Detroit's hopes of capturing their first World Series title since 1984 by defeating Leyland's troops in six hard fought games.
No comments:
Post a Comment