- The Tigers hitting is amazingly spotty (although it was ridiculous to believe Hiroki Kuroda was going to throw a perfect game today on three days rest), but what we are seeing this postseason is that starting pitching remains the most important element in the game, despite the death of the complete game. This game will, however, come down to what the Tigers do out of the bullpen. It's inevitable. My guess: Jim Leyland will not be hesitant to pitch Al Alburquerque under pressure today, especially since he is rested. He has been hesitant to use him with less than two days between appearances. Anibal Sanchez has been amazing today, again.So has every Tigers' starting pitcher in the postseason, even Drew Smyly in relief.
- Jhonny Peralta has played so well defensively in this series, he may have gotten another contract with the Tigers for next season. The Tigers view 21-year-old Eugenio Suarez, who had an excellent season at Class A West Michigan in 2012, as their shortstop of the future. But at best, he will start next season at Double-A Erie. He is at least a year away. I just wonder where this Jhonny Peralta was defensively this year. While he didn't make a lot of errors, his range was non-existent. Not in this series. It's been an unbelievable, and unexplainable, transformation.
Delmon Young, another unpopular Tiger throughout much of the 2012 season, is making a bid to stay. Without Peralta and Young, there is no way the Tigers are in this spot.
- That was probably the hardest ball Quintin Berry has hit this season, even more so than his home runs. It couldn't have come at a better time for the Tigers. Nothing cheap about that one.