The Tigers are moving on to the World Series in impressive faction by sweeping the Yankees and scoring almost more runs in a single game (8) than the Orioles did in the entire five game series against New York (10). Former Indians factored largely in the final game with Jhonny Peralta hitting a two run home run off C.C. Sabathia, the crushing blow that cemented the Tigers victory. Sabathia gave up 5 earned runs in all and Derek Lowe gave up another run. During the entire postseason with the Yankees Lowe showed how valuable he can be by pitching a whole inning and allowing two runs. There is an important lesson here that a first place team should probably not be picking up players that are dropped by a last place team.
On the other side, the Giants completed an improbable comeback against the Cardinals after being down 3-1 early in the series. Former Indians weren’t as important in this series although Ed Mujica did pitch four shut out innings in relief and earned a win for St. Louis. Guillermo Mota allowed two runs while recording just two outs in his single appearance for San Francisco. Out of hatred for the division rival Tigers, Indians fans will have to switch allegiences now, rooting for the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.
It will be interesting to see how the extended time off will effect the Tigers who finished their series on the 18th. The Tigers will get six games off between games with ace pitcher Justin Verlander getting 9 days of rest. Max Scherzer will likely pitch game two, also on 9 days rest and if Doug Fister pitches game three it will be on 14 days rest. The Giants on the other hand will get just a single day off between series as they took the Cardinals to the limit, needing to win each of the last three games to advance. While the Tigers starters have been pitching on the side, this is not the same as facing real hitters, especially the best team in the National League.
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