SB Nation Detroit - 2012 MLB playoffs: Tigers clinch another trip to ALCShttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-10-09T16:52:00-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32064112012-10-09T16:52:00-04:002012-10-09T16:52:00-04:00Start times for Games 4 and 5 of the Tigers series
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<figcaption>Jason Miller - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>If the Tigers can't close out Oakland Tuesday night, these are your game times for the rest of this ALDS. </p> <p>Start times <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp" target="_blank">have been announced for Games 4 and 5 of the American League Division Series</a> between the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> and <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>. These games are of course currently listed as ''if necessary," because the Tigers can advance Tuesday night with a win in Oakland's O.co Coliseum.</p>
<p>Game 4 between Detroit and Oakland will be played Wednesday night, Oct. 10, at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT. Should Oakland extend the series to a fifth game, that will be played Thursday, Oct. 11, also at 9:30 p.m. ET, also on TNT.</p>
<p>First pitch of Tuesday night's Game 3 is 9:07 p.m. ET from Oakland, on TBS. Right-hander <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> (4-6, 3.74) will start for the Tigers, his first postseason appearance after coming over from Miami in a midseason trade. Southpaw Brett Anderson starts for the Athletics. Anderson went 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA in six starts this season. He has not pitched since Sept. 19, in Detroit, because of an oblique injury.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/9/3480450/mlb-playoff-schedule-2012-tigers-athleticsJosh Brokaw2012-10-09T10:15:10-04:002012-10-09T10:15:10-04:00Scherzer ready to go for Game 4
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<figcaption>Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer insists that his shoulder is fine, and that he's ready to take the ball for Detroit if Oakland can force a Game 4.</p> <p><a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> starting pitcher <span>Max Scherzer</span> says that his shoulder is healthy, and that he's ready to start Game 4 of the ALDS if it is necessary, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/10/detroit_tigers_max_scherzer_5.html">according to MLive.com's James Schmehl</a>. Scherzer threw a second bullpen session on Monday, just to make sure he's healthy and ready if the Tigers can't close out the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a> on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Scherzer missed his second-to-last start of the regular season with soreness in his right deltoid. He was also initially scratched from the Tigers' regular-season finale, but did make an appearance, striking out three over four scoreless innings.</p>
<p>Manager Jim Leyland opted to start <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> in Game 3 to give Scherzer another opportunity to rest his arm.</p>
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<p>"We decided that that would be the best way to go," Leyland said. "By pitching Sanchez in front of Scherzer, (it) would keep Sanchez from keeping off too long, too.</p>
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<p>First pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 9:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday night. Sanchez will face Oakland's Brett Anderson.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/9/3478466/2012-mlb-playoffs-detroit-tigers-max-scherzerPeter Berkes2012-10-08T17:07:05-04:002012-10-08T17:07:05-04:00Tigers seize golden opportunity while others fail
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<figcaption>Leon Halip - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers have done what no other team has done this postseason: They've taken advantage of MLB's division series format change.</p> <p>Major League Baseball changed its division series format for 2012, which allowed the lower-seeded teams to open up the series with two home games. So far, only the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> have been able to take advantage of that, going 2-0 at Comerica Park against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>.</p>
<p><span>Justin Verlander</span> and <span>Doug Fister</span> turned in terrific performances to help Detroit take a commanding series lead. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that the Tigers were able to slow Oakland's momentum; the A's were winners of eight out of their final nine games of the season, and looked particularly unbeatable against the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>, who had the makings of a World Series team before running into the green and yellow wall. Had the Tigers been forced to play the first two games of the series in Oakland, who knows how the games would have turned out.</p>
<p>The other three home teams haven't been quite as opportunistic as the Detroit. The <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> lost both of their home games to the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a>, while the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> and <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a> failed to capitalize on the format change by dropping the first game of their respective series against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> and <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a>.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/8/3475218/mlb-playoffs-2012-tigers-homefield-advantageBryan Kilpatrick2012-10-08T09:14:04-04:002012-10-08T09:14:04-04:00Brett Anderson may start in ALDS Game 3
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Oakland ace may be on the mound vs. the Tigers on Tuesday.</p> <p>On Monday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> manager Bob Melvin is expected to announce his starter for Tuesday's Game 3 of the ALDS, and it could be Brett Anderson. The injured pitcher told reporters on Sunday that he isn't sure if he will be starting, but that <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20121008/SPORTS02/310080070/1050/sports02?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitTigers+%28freep.com+%7C+Detroit+Tigers%29">he'll be ready to go</a> if asked.</p>
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<p>"We'll see," Anderson said when asked about the possibility of being the Game 3 starter Tuesday. "They haven't announced anything, so we'll see what happens. I feel good, or good enough, I should say."</p>
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<p>(via <i>Detroit Free Press</i>)</p>
<p>Anderson missed nearly all of this season after recovering from Tommy John Surgery, but returned for six starts down the stretch as the A's stormed to the A.L. West title. In those six starts, he struck out 25 batters in 35 innings while only walking seven and allowing 29 hits. He posted an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.03.</p>
<p>In two home starts, he allowed two earned runs in 13 innings while striking out 10. Anderson is widely considered to be Oakland's best starting pitcher, and with the team on the brink of a sudden elimination, Melvin may choose to start him despite his injury history.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/8/3472958/athletics-tigers-alds-2012-brett-andersonJordan Sargent2012-10-06T13:22:25-04:002012-10-06T13:22:25-04:00Brennan Boesch left off Tigers' playoff roster
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<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Detroit Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch has been left off the team's 25-man roster for the American League Division Series. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> have released their official American League Division Series roster in advance of Saturday night's Game 1 against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/10/06/12/Boesch-left-off-Tigers-ALDS-roster/landing_tigers.html?blockID=800953&feedID=3701">Outfielder Brennan Boesch</a> is the most notable roster snub.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old Boesch was Detroit's Opening Day starter in right field, and despite some early struggles, remained in the lineup for most of the year. But Boesch began to see less and less playing time in the season's final month, as Tigers manager Jim Leyland explored other options.</p>
<p>Boesch ended up playing 132 games and compiled 470 at-bats. He hit .240 and had an on-base percentage of just .286. He hit 12 home runs and knocked in 54 runs.</p>
<p>The Tigers will carry five outfielders on their 25-man ALDS roster. <span>Delmon Young</span> and Austin Jackson, who have started for most of the year, will be joined by <span>Quintin Berry</span>, <span>Andy Dirks</span> and <span>Avisail Garcia</span>.</p>
<p>First pitch for Game 1 will be at 6:07 ET.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/6/3464716/tigers-vs-athletics-2012-alds-rosterJason Patt2012-10-05T19:07:22-04:002012-10-05T19:07:22-04:00Larry Herndon to throw first pitch before Game 2
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers announced Friday afternoon that Larry Herndon will throw the opening pitch before Game 2 of their divisional series against the A's.</p> <p>On Friday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers announced that Larry Herndon <a href="https://twitter.com/Beckjason/status/254319508456611840" target="_blank">will throw out the ceremonial first pitch</a> before the beginning of Game 2 of their series against the Oakland A's.</p>
<p>Herndon, 58, played his final seven seasons in the MLB as an outfielder with the Tigers before retiring after the 1988 season. Prior to his time with the Tigers, Herndon played in six seasons with the Giants and one with the Cardinals. He finished his career in the MLB with a .274 batting average with 107 home runs and 550 runs batted in.</p>
<p>He was a member of the 1984 Tigers that won the World Series by defeating the San Diego Padres four games to one. In 15 at bats during the World Series, he recorded five hits.</p>
<p>Game 2 is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. It is scheduled to be televised on MLB Network.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/5/3462346/tigers-alds-game-2-larry-herndonAdam Stites2012-10-05T18:30:14-04:002012-10-05T18:30:14-04:00Jim Leyland to reveal playoff roster Saturday
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<figcaption>Leon Halip - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn't going to reveal his playoff roster for the American League Division series until he absolutely has to.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> manager Jim Leyland said Friday that he doesn't plan on releasing his playoff roster for the American League Division series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> until Saturday, according to <a href="http://www.freep.com/Article/20121005/SPORTS02/121005059/1050/Sports02?Utm_source=Feedburner&Utm_medium=Twitter&Utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitTigers+%28freep.com+%7C" target="_blank">a report by George Sipple of The Detroit Free Press</a>.</p>
<p>The actual deadline for the announcement is 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. It does appear, according to the report, however, that pitcher <span>Luis Marte</span> may not be on the team's postseason roster after he cleared his locker on Friday.</p>
<p>"They sent me down to Lakeland to work out if something happens here," Marte said in the report. "They're going to call me back if they need me. I don't feel bad because I wasn't here all year. They know what I do."</p>
<p>In 13 games for Detroit this season, Marte recorded an ERA of 2.82 and tallied 19 strikeouts in 22⅓ innings.</p>
<p>The Tigers host the Athletics in Game 1 of the ALDS at 6:07 p.m. ET on Saturday night.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/5/3462198/detroit-tigers-playoff-roster-aldsGriffin Gotta2012-10-05T16:49:51-04:002012-10-05T16:49:51-04:00Parker, Milone to start in Games 1 and 2 in ALDS
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers will be facing Athletics' rookie pitchers Jarrod Parker and Tommy Milone in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> now know who they can prepare for, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> will send rookie starting pitchers <span>Jarrod Parker</span> and Tommy Milone to the mound in Games 1 and 2, respectively, of the American League Division Series, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/254293465217765376" target="_blank">Foxsports.com national baseball writer Jon Morosi via Twitter</a> on Friday.</p>
<p>The series, set to begin Saturday night, will pit Parker against Tigers ace <span>Justin Verlander</span> (17-8, 2.64 ERA in the regular season) in Game 1. Parker went 13-8 in the regular season with a 3.47 ERA and won his last two starts, both coming against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>, as Oakland rallied to win the AL West over Texas on the season's final day.</p>
<p>In Game 2 on Sunday, Milone will face Detroit's <span>Doug Fister</span> (10-10, 3.45 ERA in the regular season). Milone went 13-10 for the season with a 3.74 ERA, as the Athletics won eight of the last 10 regular season outings in which he started.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/10/5/3461778/athletics-rotation-mlb-playoffs-aldsGriffin Gotta