The magic number for the Tigers to win the division championship is 14

That means any combination of Tigers wins and Twins losses totaling that amount results in our first division championship since 1987.


Go Get Em Tigers!!

(Sorry guys, I shouldn't let one victory over a weak opponent get my hopes so high).


So that means the magic number to clinch a wildcard spot over the White Sox is "only" 12.

It happened yesterday, but I just heard about it today:

The faltering Detroit Tigers added another veteran bat to their line-up for the stretch run when they acquired first baseman-slugger Matt Stairs from the Texas Rangers on Friday.

Stairs? Who is that? Will he help them climb to the top? :sorry:

Last Three Seasons:

Year Team G Doubles Triples HR AVG.
2003 PIT 121 20 1 20 .292
2004 KC 126 21 3 18 .267
2005 KC 127 26 1 13 .275

given the way the last few series have gone... i'd have been just as happy last night if they'd just split those 17 runs across the three games of the series.

still, i'm happy they won and happy the twins lost. nice to see them GAIN some ground for a change.

obviously making the playoffs would be great (not that it wouldn't have been a great season anyway), and winning the division would be greater... but even more, I'd like to see them build a little momentum back up to finish the season.

given the way the last few series have gone... i'd have been just as happy last night if they'd just split those 17 runs across the three games of the series.

.

Professor, back in the day, my mom would say the same thing: "The Tigers should have saved some of those runs for the next couple of games." :amen:

As I saw them pile up the runs last night, all I could think about was how consistent they have been this month. This is the fifth series in a row that the Tigers have won the opening game scoring runs with ease. The problem is in each of the previous four series, they have lost the remaining games with little offense. :ohwell: :frusty:

Let's hope that they can score some run for Nate "No Runs" Robertson tonight and reduce that magic #

nice, tough win tonight. robertson was sweet.

listening to leyland's postgame on fox, again, i couldn't help but think: man, is he available to coach the pistons?? seems to be a real no nonsense straightshooter. nothing flaky about him (unlike both Flip and LB, imo)

For real Prof. Leyland is my kind of coach.

Looks like the Twins will win so the magic number is


13

For real Prof. Leyland is my kind of coach.

Looks like the Twins will win so the magic number is


13

I like Leyland also. Could we clone him and have him coach the Pistons? He would put a boot in Rasheed's behind and get him playing to his all-star potential.

I like Leyland also. Could we clone him and have him coach the Pistons? He would put a boot in Rasheed's behind and get him playing to his all-star potential.

i think he would get him playing to potential too, WW. But what i like about him is that I don't get the feeling (not that i'd know, having never been in their clubhouse) that he has to put a boot to anybody's behind. there's no power or authority trip with leyland. there's just a kind of very quiet command about him that seems to come equally from his experience (and success) in the game, from not acting like he knows everything, and from his quiet peace with himself. i have no doubt rasheed would respond to that, but i think it would be because leyland's clone wouldn't even need to kick him in the ass. he's just so obviously "the man" that it seems not even to occur to him to have to show it.

come to think of it, i don't know any NBA coaches -- as many successful ones as there are -- with that sort of demeanor.

Well, if you play the season out a million times on the computer, this is how things turn out:

Hint...The Tigers are in easily.

(Guys like DBA are gonna love this).

Postseason Odds (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/ps_odds.php)

Big series against the Sox. Can't wait (unless they blow it!!!)

And also: Would Texas part with Mark Teixeira, or Hank Blalock? The latter would be easier to acquire than the former, but nothing should be ruled out. Rangers owner Tom Hicks is fed up with his team -- so fed up it might yet cost manager Buck Showalter his job. It's something to think about as the Tigers prepare to deal some pitching -- and as the Rangers prepare to shake up their club.
-- Detroit News

Top of the 8th and Tigers up 4-0. Lookin' good. **Holds breath**

If the Tigers win it's a 6 game lead with 12 to go. The Sox can't overcome that.

Winning the division is another matter.

6 outs to go.

Magic number is 12 to win the division.

Magic Number is 7 to clinch the wildcard spot.

Mets first to clinch a div crown>>>Tigers should have been the first. If the schedule remains positive, they can finish ahead of the Yanks which would be icing on the cake if they do hold on to win the division

As the bumper stickers read in 1968 "Sock it to em Tigers!":nod:

...there's no power or authority trip with leyland. there's just a kind of very quiet command about him...he's just so obviously "the man" that it seems not even to occur to him to have to show it.

:hmmm: That reminds me, I had a German Shepherd like that for 13 years.:rolleyes:

This dog was so dominant that every dog he met, and most people deferred to him immediately. He wasn't aggressive or intimidating. "A very quiet command about him" is the perfect way to describe him. Every creature that ever met him knew that he was the alpha male and the leader of any pack he was in. He was never in a dog fight once, but he ruled with a direct penetrating look right in the eyes. He was never challenged in his long life.

I think our guys require an Alpha Male at the helm. Someone who won't have any part of the "If it ain't rough, it ain't right" bravado. If I never hear that phrase again, it'll be too soon. Someone who won't jump on any player idea that comes along: HCA will secure us the title.

I don't see Flip Saunders establishing dominance over our remaining four starters.I just don't think he has that kind of will over other people. I'm actually surprised he's gotten as far as he has with his demeaner being so submissive, accomodating and deferential, even to the media. I think he's a politician at heart, not an alpha male.

Avery Johnson and Nate McMillan both strike me as natural alpha male NBA coaches. They haven't been coaching very long, but they absolutely run the show.

:hmmm: That reminds me, I had a German Shepherd like that for 13 years.:rolleyes:


OOPS! :doh: :smash: Sorry Tigers and Baseball readers. I forgot what thread I was in.:loco: This Pistons stuff :blah:should be...not here.

:focus: Jim Leyland is the best kind of an alpha male! GO TIGERS.

Avery Johnson and Nate McMillan both strike me as natural alpha male NBA coaches. They haven't been coaching very long, but they absolutely run the show.

could be. i don't really know specifically what zoologists define as an alpha male. although what i've observed of Leyland that really strikes me is his calmness, what most people call "philosophical" demeanor. i've never seen him chew someone out, i've never seen him throw a player under the media bus or even call them out. i find it completely awesome that -- a propos their playoff chances -- he can say with complete calmness and utter sincerity: "we're a good team, we'll find if we're good enough. if we make it then we were and if we don't then we weren't."

I don't know mcmillan at all, but avery -- good as I think he is -- is a screamer. now maybe that's just the difference between hoops and baseball. actually, now that i think of it, the person that leyland most reminds me of in basketball circles might be john wooden.

i think authority i see in leyland comes not just from baseball savvy, but from wisdom.

k, could i get any farther from teh topic?

i think authority i see in leyland comes not just from baseball savvy, but from wisdom.

k, could i get any farther from teh topic?

Well...it's not about the Tigers Magic Number...but you're at least you're still aiming for the target of Tigers baseball.

:hmmm: That reminds me, I had a German Shepherd like that for 13 years.:rolleyes:


Unlike myself, who is talking basketball instead of baseball. And German Shepherd dogs instead of Tiger cats. :lame:(But I think I'll start a Dog Stories thread in the Green Room).:rolleyes: :)

A buddy just gave me Sox/Tigers tix for tonight. I will go and witness the death blow that are about to administer at the Cell.

Don't be too sure. The Tigers always seem to win the opener of a series and go in the tank for the remainder. :ohwell:

Have fun! Hopefully you'll bring them luck.

Big win for the tigers last night, 8-2. Minnesota Plays the BoSox tonight (hopefully the Bosox problems go away and beat up on the Twins) while the Tigers have another big game against the White Sox. Hopefully Verlander can respond from his last start, because it was miserable.

Big win for the tigers last night, 8-2. Minnesota Plays the BoSox tonight (hopefully the Bosox problems go away and beat up on the Twins) while the Tigers have another big game against the White Sox. Hopefully Verlander can respond from his last start, because it was miserable.

Twins up 6-0 in the 4th.

Tigers will need to take care of their own business. The Red Sox don't look like they wanna help.

Don't be too sure. The Tigers always seem to win the opener of a series and go in the tank for the remainder. :ohwell:

Have fun! Hopefully you'll bring them luck.

Yep, deja vu just like the last five series, win first game to give fans false hope, and then the hitting disappears for the remainder of the series and pitching falls apart after the 4th or 5th inning.:help2: :yield: :Cry:

(Thanks to Nate for being the exception last Saturday)

Oh man... that game sucked. It was a cold night in Chicago.

Yep, deja vu just like the last five series, win first game to give fans false hope, and then the hitting disappears for the remainder of the series and pitching falls apart after the 4th or 5th inning.:help2: :yield: :Cry:

(Thanks to Nate for being the exception last Saturday)

okay i just have to say two things. first, how STUPID are we to continue to have false hopes when they've done the same thing for the last five series!! crikey!

second, i've determined that i am actually the cause of the losses. :( i will now stop watching the games and thus single-handedly rescue the division title and send them into the playoffs with a bang.

Lord and behold the Tigers have won two series in a row and even more impressive four out of their last six games. Even with those four wins and some timely hitting here lately, they are still only hanging on by a very slim half game lead over those darn Twins, who pulled another rabbit out of their hat by scoring 7 runs in the 8th & 9th innings and stealing a late inning come-from-behind victory over the disappointing Red Sox.

Lets hope Nate can pitch like he did last Saturday night and pull out another victory against O's tonight furthing putting a stake in the hearts of the Chisox (payback for the Chi-Bulls taking Ben, we end their chances of Chi-sox repeating.) :pound:

The Magic # for eliminating the SOX at the moment I believe is 6 and I think the Tigers have to win at least 8 of their remaining 10 to clinch the division. In looking at the Twins schedule I think they can match that and do one game better since they have 11 games remaining.

Let's hope the playoff spot is clinched by Sunday and then they can concentrate on holding off the Twins if they haven't been passed by then.

Good move by Leyland to come out and calm both his pitcher and infield down in the second inning after the Bonderman infield boot could have led to a big inning by the SOX and they got nada!!:nod:

The Twins have been knocking on the door for a week now and I know they are frustrated that they still have not surpassed the slumping Tigers. :mad:

At last look, Tigers up 3-2 in Baltimore in the 5th

Fortunately, the rest of the schedule looks good.

Sept. 22at Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)8:10 pmDet - Ledezma (2-3, 3.81) vs. KC - Hudson (7-5, 5.46)

Sept. 23at Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)7:10 pmDet - Rogers (16-6, 3.74) vs. KC - Redman (10-9, 5.33)

Sept. 24at Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)2:10 pmDet - Verlander (16-9, 3.63) vs. KC - Hernandez (6-9, 6.40)

Sept. 26vs. Toronto (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=14&type=reg)7:05 pm
Sept. 27vs. Toronto (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=14&type=reg)7:05 pm
Sept. 28vs. Toronto (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=14&type=reg)1:05 pm

Sept. 29vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)7:05 pm
Sept. 30vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)7:05 pm
Oct. 1vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)1:05 pm

The Twins still have 3 games with Chicago...assuming nothing changes drastically, I wonder how motivated the Sox will be then?

Sept. 21at Boston (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=2&type=reg)7:05 pmMin - Santana (18-5, 2.77) vs. Bos - Beckett (15-10, 5.02)
Sept. 22at Baltimore (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=1&type=reg)7:05 pmMin - Silva (10-13, 5.88) vs. Bal - Cabrera (7-10, 5.10)
Sept. 23at Baltimore (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=1&type=reg)4:35 pmMin - Baker (5-8, 6.33) vs. Bal - Bedard (15-9, 3.62)
Sept. 24at Baltimore (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=1&type=reg)1:35 pmMin - Garza (2-5, 5.40) vs. Bal - Loewen (6-5, 5.35)

Sept. 25vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)8:10 pm
Sept. 26vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)8:10 pm
Sept. 27vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)8:10 pm
Sept. 28vs. Kansas City (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=7&type=reg)8:10 pm

Sept. 29vs. Chi White Sox (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=4&type=reg)8:10 pm
Sept. 30vs. Chi White Sox (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=4&type=reg)12:10 pm
Oct. 1vs. Chi White Sox (http://www.scoreboard.msnbc.com/msnbc/default.asp?sport=mlb&cat=TSt&team=4&type=reg)2:10 pm

I'm wondering how motivated the Yankees will be for the rest of the season.

I assume that everyone here is under agreement that we would rather play Oakland in the first round? Oakland is currently 3.5 games behind the Yanks for the better record.

Looks like Oakland probably won't catch them, so we better beat out the Twins.

Tigers lose a tough one 4-3 against the Orioles (make up game) Twins might have a chance to take the lead, but there currently losing 6-0 to the Bosox...

Tigers lose a tough one 4-3 against the Orioles (make up game) Twins might have a chance to take the lead, but there currently losing 6-0 to the Bosox...\\

Lucky break for the Tigers as they continue to hold on to the lead by that half game despite losing a game that a league leader should have won. Twins bungle an infield hit and "I love it when the call me big papi" goes out of yard twice and the Twins are shut out 6-0. :)

Even with the favorable schedule these last nine games, the Tigers will keep the fans on edge for the rest of the month:fear: :nailbiting:

Nice. It seems like a while since the Tigers won and the Twins lost. The White Sox are losing too.

Magic number for the division =8 (Any combo of Tiger wins & Twin losses)

Magic number for the wild Card =2 (if the Sox lose or 3 if they win tonight).

Go get em' Tigers

Even with the favorable schedule these last nine games, the Tigers will keep the fans on edge for the rest of the month:fear: :nailbiting:

Hey, they're playing my Blue Jays next week. Take it easy with the "favorable schedule" stuff. :P

I'm going to the Wednesday game. I've been to plenty of games at old Tiger Stadium, but this will be my first time at Comerica.

White Sox came back and beat Seattle.

Twins came back and are up on Baltimore.

Tigers play in a bit.

10-0 Tigers after the first.

Where has this team been the last month? KC will cure all that ails them.

Redman was horrible, 1/3 of an inning! That was the worst pitching performance I've seen in a looong time...

Magic number for the division =7 (Any combo of Tiger wins & Twin losses)

Magic number for the wild Card =1 (One Sox loss or Tiger win and we are back in the playoffs after soooo many years!)

Can't wait until this team clinches. It's been a long time for us Tigers fans. 19 long years. I don't think the true fans should have to wait that long so I don't subscribe to the "wait was worth it" philosophy either. I subscribe to the "it's about time" mentality.

The Tigers are absolutely killing the royals again, 9-0 in the second inning. For the second game in a row, a KC pitcher didn't make it out of the second. Tigers can clinch a playoff birth a win today (and it would be a maricle to KC if they gave this game away!)

WOOHOO!

Tigers up 10-2 top of the 5th.

"ARE WE THERE YET?" :)

Too bad we don't get to play the Royals in the Playoffs.

Too bad we don't get to play the Royals in the Playoffs.

and too bad the twins open a 4 game series with them today...we definitely need to keep this mini-roll going all the way to the final bell.

and too bad the twins open a 4 game series with them today...we definitely need to keep this mini-roll going all the way to the final bell.

Dang lets hope the Royals have some pride and take at least two from the Twins.

Either that or lets hope the Sox don't lay down and take at least two from the Twins next weekend.

Definitely if the bats keep rolling, the pitching should do it's job, and not only a dvision crown is a reality but a definite win in the first round at least:pray:

and too bad the twins open a 4 game series with them today...we definitely need to keep this mini-roll going all the way to the final bell.

Fair-is-fair...at least we get KC at home for the last 3...and Minnie gets Chicago. On a low note...all remaining games are at home for the Twins (like ours) with the best home record in baseball...and the Sox are 38-37 on the road this season with all 6 of their remaining games on the road. Luckily...the Sox have an off day before their series with the Twins.

I see Minnie taking 5 of their last seven (maybe wishful thinking on my part)...meaning the Tigers would have to win 3 of their last six to tie Minnie for best record in the Central. Head-to-head the Tigers are 11-8 against the Twins...which I believe is the tie-breaker. 10 of the 19 games between D & M were at their place...Tigers 7-2 at home and Twins 6-4 at home.

Sorry for the stat loading...I haven't been this excited about baseball since fall 87! :)

Fair-is-fair...at least we get KC at home for the last 3...and Minnie gets Chicago. On a low note...all remaining games are at home for the Twins (like ours) with the best home record in baseball...and the Sox are 38-37 on the road this season with all 6 of their remaining games on the road. Luckily...the Sox have an off day before their series with the Twins.

I see Minnie taking 5 of their last seven (maybe wishful thinking on my part)...meaning the Tigers would have to win 3 of their last six to tie Minnie for best record in the Central. Head-to-head the Tigers are 11-8 against the Twins...which I believe is the tie-breaker. 10 of the 19 games between D & M were at their place...Tigers 7-2 at home and Twins 6-4 at home.

Sorry for the stat loading...I haven't been this excited about baseball since fall 87! :)

Good info. Thanks Det. I'm excited too.

How huge is today for the Tigers?

Magic number is at 3 with 4 to go.

Tigers finish with the Jays today and then on to play the Royals who have 99 losses and are trying to avoid 100.

Twins finish with the Royals today and then move on to the White Sox who quit playing a few days ago.

So if the Tigers can squeak by the Jays, regardless of how the Twins fare, or if the Twins lose to the Royals regardless of the Tigers results against the Jays this afternoon, the Tigers would only need two wins of three in their last series. OR, they would only need one win if the Sox can steal one from the Twins.

Reaching the magic number of two (not two Tigers wins, necessarily) is almost a sure thing with 3 games to go.

But...if the Tigers lose today and the Twins win, (which I fear will be the case...Toronto is playing hard for 2nd place against the Bosox)...the magic number remains at three with 3 to go. That means the Tigers would need to sweep the Royals (don't see it happening) if the Twins sweep the White Sox (They'll take at least two, you gotta imagine).

Yeah, today isn't crucial, but it's huge, I think.

nothing like crappy pitching, fielding, and hitting in the pneultimate reg. season series to make you nervous about next week...

How huge is today for the Tigers?

Magic number is at 3 with 4 to go.



Reaching the magic number of two (not two Tigers wins, necessarily) is almost a sure thing with 3 games to go.

But...if the Tigers lose today and the Twins win, (which I fear will be the case...Toronto is playing hard for 2nd place against the Bosox)...the magic number remains at three with 3 to go. That means the Tigers would need to sweep the Royals (don't see it happening) if the Twins sweep the White Sox (They'll take at least two, you gotta imagine).

Yeah, today isn't crucial, but it's huge, I think.

Gulp ! part one has happen as the Tigers did lose again with shoddy pitching and defense. They will definitely need to sweep the Royals this weekend to grab the crown, IMO otherwise a meeting with those Damn Yankees in the first round:doh: :nailbiting:

They lost 8-6, I'm hoping the Twins lose tonight...

Looks like the Twins might actually lose, there down 1-0 in the bottom of the 8th. Come on Royals!

Looks like the Twins might actually lose, there down 1-0 in the bottom of the 8th. Come on Royals!

The ninth inning of the Twins-Royals game was a ball buster for the Tigers and they were force to sit & watch their possible division crown go down the drain.

Royals load the bases with no outs, 4th batter up swings on the first pitch into a short infield pop-up. Next batter grounds into a double play to end the inning. Instead of some insurance runs for a victory and to keep the Tigs in 1st place, the royals get zilch:(, Bottom of the ninth, first two batters out with ease. next up is Mr. Clutch, Joe Mauer who after two pitches slams one over the wall to tie the game. Even here in California I could here a loud SH,,,:tape2:,,t coming from the fans in the City of Detroit
We all know the results, Twins win in the 10th and now are tied with the Tigs and smelling the finish line....:help:

Tigers lose 9-7 in extra innings against the Royals. They practically gave the game away. The Twins lost 4-3 to the White Sox. No damage done.

Twins got a 3 run blast in the 9th but lost 6-3.

A Tigers victory tonight and it is all over.

Magic Number is 1 despite last nights choke job.

The Tigers need to start to take advantage of the Twins losing, and tonight is the perfect night to wrap it all up. The Tigers have been in the division lead for a long time and it would be a blow if they lost it. The Tigers have to get it going early tonight, score 11 runs in the first inning like they did to the Royals last series.

The Tigers and Twins are remained deadlocked, both losing today. The tigers lost 9-6, in which Miner pitched a miserable game. He didn't even last one inning! It all comes down to tomorrow, so get ready and hope for a first place. :winner_first_h4h:

KC had 4 runs before Miner got his only out. I'm kinda scratchin my head as to why Leyland started him in the first place...we get a day or two off before the playoffs start AND Miner hadn't started a game since Aug 23. :confused:

The Tiger pitchers gave up 33 runs and 66 hits in the last four losses/games. :swear2: I guess they are ready for the playoffs. :yield:

Looks like the say wanted their fans to sweat this one to the last inning of the season. :nailbiting:

Only a masterful pitching performance from both the starter and the bullpen can salvage the division crown and their hold on first .

They have gotten sum runs and could have won all four games but untimely hitting (especially by Pudge) has left several runners stranded and out them in the winner take all predicament with the Twins. The Sox have stood up these past couple of games, maybe they should be the team going to the post season instead of Tigs and Twinkies

Led the central til the very last day
Pitchings sucked, but we're still in play
Off to Yankee town in a couple days
Can NY win? No freakin way!

Sorry...super got me going :)

Wow, what a finish to the regular season. Down to extra innings in the last game of the season to decided it.

They had chances. The Tigers had the bases loaded with one out, and they blew it.

They had chances. The Tigers had the bases loaded with one out, and they blew it.

They've had chances for about a week now. They held the tie breaker against the Twins, lost 2 of 3 at home against the Jays and then were swept by the Royals.

Not the way you want to go into the playoffs, but at least they're still in.

It's tough... but we knew they weren't supposed to be here so soon.... get some playoff experience against the best team money can buy and call it a success.
Next year go after a legit left handed bat... make Mags the DH...that might be enough.

Funny I am not sure where most of the gloom and doom is over there at the Detroit News Fourm. The Tiger forum is beating up on Leyland, Inge, Pudge and whomever wears a Tiger uniform and over at the Lions forum they are beating on the defense, Millen and Ford. I guess Ford couldn't stop some body name Marc Bulger from throwing for 328 yards. At the Piston Forum it looks like it was an afternoon slugfest between Lee, Pistonature and Da Buddified one. Not sure who lost that game.

:focus:

The Tigers blew several opportunites over the past five games including losing to a team that they had owned 14-1 before the weekend started. The way it finally played out, all they had to win was 1 of the final five to win the division and despite having leads of five runs or more in a couple of the games, they still find themselves flying to NY tonight. :flypig:

Shoddy pitching that gave up 33 runs and some 80+ hits in the last 5 games is not the sign of a team heading to the playoffs. The Yankee fans have never cheered so much for the Royals just to get a crack at Leylands Losers. To many blown opportunities with strikeouts and leaving men on base with scoring opportunites. Hopefully the pressure is off the Tigs now and they can play like they did in the first half of the season.:nailbiting: :pray:

I can't believe they lost the division at the last game of the season.

Oh well, if they can get it rolling against the Yanks, they stand a chance to make some real noise...

I'm a firm believer that you have to experience pain before glory... the young kids are learning how to finish a pressure game... Rodney, Inge, Bondy etc. should have better success next year.
They would have done better against the Twinkies who were also were under the gun... KC was doing things like throwing changeups with a 3-2 count... what's there to lose for them?
Even though there's still games to be played I'd like to see the pitchers work on their offspeed pitches in the offseason... any big leaguer can sit on a fastball late in the count.

Yankee stadium is the right stage for building for the future... bring em on and take the :ouch:

The palms of my hands are bloody from these last three games, I clenched my fists so hard. One game is all they needed, as it turned out, and a team that lost a hundred games.

Well, the Royals looked pretty good. The pitching did not look like the best in the majors lately.

Hope the Tigers salvage some of their self esteem in NY, and at least win a couple. It would be good experience for the next years.

Too bad about Inge. He had that error that he feels lost the game and then struck out when he had a chance to make up for it. He really tore up the dugout when he got back. He really did not lose the game for them. He is a good young player and will bouce back.

I hope they get their bounce back NOW. What a turnaround from the first to the second half.

If our goal was to get to the ALCS, then we have hurt our chances. But if our goal is to get to the World Series, then we are probably in better shape. Given that the Yankees are more talented and more experienced, the fewer the games we have to beat them, the better. Having home field would have been nice, but at least Verlander skipped a start and should be ready to go.

If our goal was to get to the ALCS, then we have hurt our chances. But if our goal is to get to the World Series, then we are probably in better shape. Given that the Yankees are more talented and more experienced, the fewer the games we have to beat them, the better. Having home field would have been nice, but at least Verlander skipped a start and should be ready to go.

I'm thinking a Yankees sweep. Why? Because they are good and we cannot beat the Royals.

Can you say major CHOKE!

That being said I think the Tigers accomplished a great deal this season. Great job by Jim Leyland.

i'm not quite ready to write their playoff chances off entirely, but clearly, unless at least their pitching returns to first half form, they don't have a prayer cause they sure aren't going to outhit that yankees lineup...

i've entertained a vague hope that at this point, having hit rock bottom (in some ways, at least), they'll feel less pressure and play more relaxed, especially the pitchers and also some of the less experienced hitters. (but that may be just be the tigers verison of the "if it ain't rough it ain't right line" that the %$#@ pistons have drummed into my skull)

Preview of Yankees-Tigers

Season series: New York won 5-2.
Matchups: The Tigers' four postseason starters were a combined 0-4 against New York with a 5.94 ERA. The Yankees hope Randy Johnson is OK for the postseason. He was scratched from his final regular-season start because of a bad back.
Big picture: After 12 straight losing seasons and just three years removed from an embarrassing 119 defeats, Detroit finished 95-67 and clinched its first playoff spot since 1987. But needing one win to clinch the AL Central, the Tigers lost their last five games. The Yankees went 97-65 with a record $200 million payroll that lets New York field a starting lineup with nine all-stars.
Watch for: Dropped to sixth in the Yankees' batting order for Game 1, Alex Rodriguez has never reached the World Series and still is waiting for a signature hit.

crap those other guys can hit...

Once again we're witness to the financial injustice of MLB... it's a shame these guys don't wake up... maybe they're from NY or L.A.

Some will second guess Leyland for the SB attempt in the second, but that can be blamed on Pudge who was the only Tiger who failed to get a hit tonight and not only swung and missed on the steal attempt, but struck out afterwards.:( :mad:

Tigers get 5 doubles and two Hrs but only score 4 runs. :rolleyes: A couple of those doubles were lead off hits. Unfortunately they grounded into 2 double plays, one started by Jeter who was all world out there tonight.

pitching is still shakey giving up double digit hit again for the sixth game in a row.

As they say in the little leagues, we get'em tomorrow coach.

Once again we're witness to the financial injustice of MLB... it's a shame these guys don't wake up... maybe they're from NY or L.A.

So true. The Jays have been battling this forever. They increased their payroll by $20 million this season to approx. $72 million and yet that's not even HALF the Yankees payroll and just over half of that of the Red Sox.

In fact, their $72 million payroll ranks them third in their own division, just behind Baltimore as well.

The Tigers are 14th in the league at $82.6 million.

There is a $180 MILLION DOLLAR DIFFERENCE between the top payroll (the Yanks @ $200 million) and the bottom payroll (the Marlins @ $15). Six different PLAYERS on the Yankees EACH make more than the entire Florida TEAM.

How the HECK are teams supposed to compete with that?