tigers527
10-08-2006, 08:18 PM
I would assume there might be pitching staff juggling on both sides, but were it to stand like this, or maybe not here's what I say....
- @ Oakland Athletics, 8 pm; Nate Robertson vs. Barry Zito
11 - @ Oakland Athletics, 3 pm; Justin Verlander vs. Rich Harden
13 - vs. Oakland Athletics, 8 pm; Kenny Rogers vs. Esteban Loaiza
14 - vs. Oakland Athletics, 7:30 pm; Jeremy Bonderman vs. Dan Haren
15 - vs. Oakland Athletics, 4 pm*; Nate Robertson vs. Barry Zito
17 - @ Oakland Athletics, 8 pm*; Justin Verlander vs. Rich Harden
18 - @ Oakland Athletics, 8 pm*; Kenny Rogers vs. Esteban Loaiza
* = if needed
Game 1 Robertson v Zito....this match up might get dumped in favor of the sexier Verlander v Zito match up... I hope not, as I think this might be folley for the Tigers. Although, it would leave Verlander as a possibility for relief in the game 7, that could happen (I guess he'd be there either way). If this match up stays as stands, look for Robertson to make ammends for the poor Yankee start, especially against the weaker A's line up. Although, it might not be enough to keep Zito from earning an extra 3-5 million from the Yanks, or which other big spender is out there. Zito is filthy, but the Tigers have done well against lefties. Since the Tigers only have to deal with one "real" threat, Thomas....I would hope the IBB is a big part of dealing with him, as pitching around him is not necessarily all that good. He seems to pick a pitch and a location and beat the heck out of it. If Robertson can keep it close through the 6th, I would hope Zumaya, Jones, Walker, and whoever can shut down your line up. And the Tiger bats can make the comeback....prediction Tigers 3 A's 2 (best case senerio)....likely A's 5 Tigers 2......series A's 1-0
Game 2 Verlander v Harden....Now that one is a sexy match up...Maybe it will be a Morris v Smoltz type game....But since they are both younger, one of them is going to falter. Early on, if Verlanders' knuckle curve is working, look out as it won't be him scuffleing. This one can go either way, give Justins fastball a chance to go through shadows (besides he's much better in day games) however, and it is over. Depending on the timing of the game, you might see Rogers (he is 24-5 lifetime in Oakland)....especially, if Verlander starts game one....prediction Tigers 4 A's 2 especially if Rogers pitches....series tied 1-1.
Game 3 Rogers v Loaiza...This one could go poorly for the Tigers. Loaiza seemed to do well against them in the WhiteSox days...but that was a while ago (when most pitchers did well against the Tigers). Without mix up of the pitchers....Rogers gets this one, he showed me alot friday night (still watch for a close pitch not called, or a play not going for Kenny....and impending melt down). Again lower scoring though, is my thought....Tigers 3 A's 1...series Tigers 2-1.
Game 4 Bonderman v Haren/Zito...This is were the not having a "number 1" starter, pays off. With 4 "number 2" 's (maybe 2.5 through 3 in regards to Robertson) and the weaker MLB line up your guys have offensively, by the numbers, I would think Bonderman makes some hay, with your guys. Not going finesse like he did with the Yanks but showing the Ks, over 200 in the regular season. However, if it turns to the Zito v Bonderman, now that could be a game...Without that happening, although I think it will if the Tigers are indeed up 2-1 in the series....The Tigers should win against Haren, and possibly Zito. Haren 7-3 Tigers, Zito 4-2 Tigers, either way....series Tigers 3-1
Game 5 Robertson v Harden (as Zito likely went the night before)....This one scares me. But Robertson is a "bulldog", and I hope he can keep up with the 2 quality starters (Zito and Harden) he would match up with in both games, he started in. He is much the same as Rogers...if a play or a call goes against him, it does seem to bother him. Lets say, Robertson does not get it done....Tigers 3 A's 6.....series Tigers 3-2
Game 6 Verlander v Harden/Loaiza....Verlander is going to deal, and I would imagine so is Harden or Laoiza...this one makes or breaks the series....D'uh....Depending on the match up I think the Tigers depth overcomes the A's......Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez hug and the Tigers win the series 4-2.
Offensive keys...while Thomas might have his moments, I predict Nick Swisher to be the fellow for us Tiger rooters, to look out for. As in the last series, Carlos Guillen is one to watch (he bested Jeter in the last series), as well, I have a feeling that Magglio Ordonez is also someone to watch for.
- @ Oakland Athletics, 8 pm; Nate Robertson vs. Barry Zito
11 - @ Oakland Athletics, 3 pm; Justin Verlander vs. Rich Harden
13 - vs. Oakland Athletics, 8 pm; Kenny Rogers vs. Esteban Loaiza
14 - vs. Oakland Athletics, 7:30 pm; Jeremy Bonderman vs. Dan Haren
15 - vs. Oakland Athletics, 4 pm*; Nate Robertson vs. Barry Zito
17 - @ Oakland Athletics, 8 pm*; Justin Verlander vs. Rich Harden
18 - @ Oakland Athletics, 8 pm*; Kenny Rogers vs. Esteban Loaiza
* = if needed
Game 1 Robertson v Zito....this match up might get dumped in favor of the sexier Verlander v Zito match up... I hope not, as I think this might be folley for the Tigers. Although, it would leave Verlander as a possibility for relief in the game 7, that could happen (I guess he'd be there either way). If this match up stays as stands, look for Robertson to make ammends for the poor Yankee start, especially against the weaker A's line up. Although, it might not be enough to keep Zito from earning an extra 3-5 million from the Yanks, or which other big spender is out there. Zito is filthy, but the Tigers have done well against lefties. Since the Tigers only have to deal with one "real" threat, Thomas....I would hope the IBB is a big part of dealing with him, as pitching around him is not necessarily all that good. He seems to pick a pitch and a location and beat the heck out of it. If Robertson can keep it close through the 6th, I would hope Zumaya, Jones, Walker, and whoever can shut down your line up. And the Tiger bats can make the comeback....prediction Tigers 3 A's 2 (best case senerio)....likely A's 5 Tigers 2......series A's 1-0
Game 2 Verlander v Harden....Now that one is a sexy match up...Maybe it will be a Morris v Smoltz type game....But since they are both younger, one of them is going to falter. Early on, if Verlanders' knuckle curve is working, look out as it won't be him scuffleing. This one can go either way, give Justins fastball a chance to go through shadows (besides he's much better in day games) however, and it is over. Depending on the timing of the game, you might see Rogers (he is 24-5 lifetime in Oakland)....especially, if Verlander starts game one....prediction Tigers 4 A's 2 especially if Rogers pitches....series tied 1-1.
Game 3 Rogers v Loaiza...This one could go poorly for the Tigers. Loaiza seemed to do well against them in the WhiteSox days...but that was a while ago (when most pitchers did well against the Tigers). Without mix up of the pitchers....Rogers gets this one, he showed me alot friday night (still watch for a close pitch not called, or a play not going for Kenny....and impending melt down). Again lower scoring though, is my thought....Tigers 3 A's 1...series Tigers 2-1.
Game 4 Bonderman v Haren/Zito...This is were the not having a "number 1" starter, pays off. With 4 "number 2" 's (maybe 2.5 through 3 in regards to Robertson) and the weaker MLB line up your guys have offensively, by the numbers, I would think Bonderman makes some hay, with your guys. Not going finesse like he did with the Yanks but showing the Ks, over 200 in the regular season. However, if it turns to the Zito v Bonderman, now that could be a game...Without that happening, although I think it will if the Tigers are indeed up 2-1 in the series....The Tigers should win against Haren, and possibly Zito. Haren 7-3 Tigers, Zito 4-2 Tigers, either way....series Tigers 3-1
Game 5 Robertson v Harden (as Zito likely went the night before)....This one scares me. But Robertson is a "bulldog", and I hope he can keep up with the 2 quality starters (Zito and Harden) he would match up with in both games, he started in. He is much the same as Rogers...if a play or a call goes against him, it does seem to bother him. Lets say, Robertson does not get it done....Tigers 3 A's 6.....series Tigers 3-2
Game 6 Verlander v Harden/Loaiza....Verlander is going to deal, and I would imagine so is Harden or Laoiza...this one makes or breaks the series....D'uh....Depending on the match up I think the Tigers depth overcomes the A's......Frank Thomas and Magglio Ordonez hug and the Tigers win the series 4-2.
Offensive keys...while Thomas might have his moments, I predict Nick Swisher to be the fellow for us Tiger rooters, to look out for. As in the last series, Carlos Guillen is one to watch (he bested Jeter in the last series), as well, I have a feeling that Magglio Ordonez is also someone to watch for.