- The Tigers missed out by not signing free agent Nelson Cruz this off season, but J.D Martinez has made up most of the production they would have gotten. That's been true even in the postseason where Cruz excels, at least so far. Huge three-run bomb by the kid.
- Wei-Yin Chen was the ideal starting pitcher for the Tigers to face. He doesn't have the power arm to overwhelm the Tigers' power hitters. The Tigers took full advantage. They just teed off on Chen in the fourth inning. It was type of frame that could change the course of the series.
- Justin Verlander has pitched well today. The home run by Nick Markakis would have stayed in most ball parks. The Tigers need to keep slugging in this game, and Verlander needs to give them seven plus innings today. The last thing the Tigers need is to put pressure on their beyond-shaky bullpen. A rout is order, and it's possible, if the Tigers keep applying pressure. That way the Tigers' bullpen would have a chance to regroup.