DETROIT (AP) -- There were times this year when Justin Verlander took the mound while his team was reeling a bit -- and the right-hander's presence was Detroit's best shot at snapping out of a momentary funk.
Now, the hard-throwing ace is in a different situation. Led by Verlander, the Tigers' rotation has been absolutely terrific this postseason, and his job is simply to keep this remarkable run going against the slumping New York Yankees.
"I think pitching, much like hitting, is contagious," Verlander said. "Guys go out there night in and night out and see guys have a good game, and the next day he wants to have a good game, so on and so forth. And I think that's what we are feeding on right now."
The Tigers won the first two games of the AL championship series in New York, holding the Yankees scoreless except for one brief uprising against closer-in-limbo Jose Valverde. With the exception of Valverde, no Detroit pitcher has allowed an earned run since Game 3 of the division series against Oakland.
Verlander takes the mound Tuesday night in Game 3 of the ALCS. The reigning AL MVP won both his starts against the A's, throwing a shutout in the decisive fifth game.
"As a rotation, right now things are going well," Verlander said during Monday's off-day. "It is nice to see us get rolling as a group, and hopefully we can continue it through the World Series."
Detroit's pitching display has gone hand in hand with New York's horrendous slump. Derek Jeter is out for the year after breaking an ankle in Game 1 of this series, and the Yankees desperately need their other stars to start hitting. Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher are a combined 12 for 107 -- for a .112 batting average -- in the playoffs.
With the starters pitching brilliantly, Detroit's big concern right now is the bullpen. Valverde allowed the Yankees to tie Game 1 with four runs in the ninth, and although the Tigers won 6-4 in the 12th, Detroit manager Jim Leyland needed to change plans a bit. He used Phil Coke to close out a 3-0 win in Game 2, and the left-hander pitched the final two innings.
Coke may be a viable option against a New York lineup with plenty of left-handed power, but it's clear the situation is still in flux.
"I am just going to play it out and see what happens, see what kind of matchup there is," Leyland said. "Find out who they have coming up, who the matchup will be, probably go from there. I am hoping that Valverde in the very near future is ready to take back over. As I said, that is pretty important that we have him."
Watch the Tigers play tonight and come in and talk to us about it!!! Go Tigers
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Now, the hard-throwing ace is in a different situation. Led by Verlander, the Tigers' rotation has been absolutely terrific this postseason, and his job is simply to keep this remarkable run going against the slumping New York Yankees.
"I think pitching, much like hitting, is contagious," Verlander said. "Guys go out there night in and night out and see guys have a good game, and the next day he wants to have a good game, so on and so forth. And I think that's what we are feeding on right now."
The Tigers won the first two games of the AL championship series in New York, holding the Yankees scoreless except for one brief uprising against closer-in-limbo Jose Valverde. With the exception of Valverde, no Detroit pitcher has allowed an earned run since Game 3 of the division series against Oakland.
Verlander takes the mound Tuesday night in Game 3 of the ALCS. The reigning AL MVP won both his starts against the A's, throwing a shutout in the decisive fifth game.
"As a rotation, right now things are going well," Verlander said during Monday's off-day. "It is nice to see us get rolling as a group, and hopefully we can continue it through the World Series."
Detroit's pitching display has gone hand in hand with New York's horrendous slump. Derek Jeter is out for the year after breaking an ankle in Game 1 of this series, and the Yankees desperately need their other stars to start hitting. Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher are a combined 12 for 107 -- for a .112 batting average -- in the playoffs.
Coke may be a viable option against a New York lineup with plenty of left-handed power, but it's clear the situation is still in flux.
"I am just going to play it out and see what happens, see what kind of matchup there is," Leyland said. "Find out who they have coming up, who the matchup will be, probably go from there. I am hoping that Valverde in the very near future is ready to take back over. As I said, that is pretty important that we have him."
Watch the Tigers play tonight and come in and talk to us about it!!! Go Tigers
Serving the communities of Wixom,Walled Lake, White Lake, Commerce Twp, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and Novi
43235 12 Mile Rd
Novi, MI 48377
248-349-2000
www.AmericanMattressGallery.com
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