NFL Football – Mon 10/10
Pick Made: Oct 10 2011 6:48AM PST
MLB Baseball – Mon 10/10
Rain seems to be plaguing the Tigers this postseason. When it follows you to Texas, where the Rangers have just endured one of the hottest and driest summers in North Texas history (27 games were played when the temperature was 100 degrees or more at first pitch), a team could start to take it personally! Game 1 of the ALDS with the Yankees was suspended in the second inning and it cost Detroit being able to use Justin Verlander twice in that series. Detroit did survive though (a special thanks is due both A-Rod and Teixeira) but again, the ALCS opener was twice delayed by rain (Verlander is starting to wonder if it’s him!) and Game 2 was postponed Sunday night because of the expectation of more wet weather and rescheduled for this afternoon. Texas won 3-2 in Game 1, as CJ Wilson survived six hits and five walks in just 4.2 innings to allow only two runs. Then, the Texas bullpen (five different pitchers) allowed just one hit and struck out eight over 4.1 innings after play resumed from two delays (totaling 110 minutes), to preserve the win. Getting the start this afternoon will be Detroit’s Max Scherzer and Texas’ Derek Holland. Scherzer was an awful road pitcher this year, posting a 5.44 ERA away from Comerica Park.
However, he was excellent in Game 2 at Yankees Stadium (6 IP / 2 hits / 0 runs), as the Tiger won 5-3 to even the series. He also pitched 1.1 innings (two hits and one run) in the deciding Game 5, which Detroit won 3-2. The rain gives him an extra day of rest and he’ll likely need it, facing a Texas team which is 54-30 at home this year (including the postseason), while averaging a very healthy 6.06 RPG. Holland’s had an excellent year for Texas, going 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 starts (team was 19-13). He’s 9-2 here in Arlington in 16 home starts (including one in the postseason), with the Rangers going 11-5. He gets a break as well, with Delvin Young questionable at best and Magglio Ordonez out of the Detroit lineup in Game 2. Texas takes a 2-0 lead in the ALCS, right here.
Good luck…John
