OK, so it looks like Detroit

Should be a tremendous battle. If we can match their SPs I think we have the clear edge in the bullpen. The World Series may be a breeze for whoever comes out of the AL.

The ERA's vs Detroit

Tillman- 3.58

Chen- 4.91

Norris- 6.57

Gonzalez- 8.47

Gausman- 5.40

Might be risky to start Gonzalez

Should be a tremendous battle. If we can match their SPs I think we have the clear edge in the bullpen. The World Series may be a breeze for whoever comes out of the AL.

Simply stated without Manny and Davis we are overmatched against their starting pitching and their offense and lineup is the best in the league and probably the game in my estimation

Detroit's career OPS allowed vs Baltimore

Porcello - .178/.213/.200 - 413 (wow)

Verlander - .212/.276/.346 - 622

Price - .252/.298/.353 - 651

Sanchez - .225/.279/.375 - 654

Scherzer - .280/.315/.439 - 755

Verlander may not make the postseason rotation depending on the health of Sanchez. So things aren't too bad for the Orioles, particularly vs their supposed #1 Scherzer. But Porcello is killin' them.

Os gonna be heavy underdogs I think. Would have rather had the Royals. Their postseason inexperience, meh offense, and reliance on speed (which the Os defense would minimize) would have been a great matchup for the Os.

Oh well.

The ERA's vs Detroit

Tillman- 3.58

Chen- 4.91

Norris- 6.57

Gonzalez- 8.47

Gausman- 5.40

Might be risky to start Gonzalez

I drink orange kool-aid, but I feel like our team and pitchers are all a lot better than when these #s were produced.

Secondly, the OP makes a good point regarding the bullpens. If we can keep the game close through 6, we have a clear edge.

Thirdly, I trust in Buck. He's obviously aware of the #s and will do everything he can to put the team in a position to win, including lineups, pitch sequences, defensive positioning, bullpen matchups, etc. Buck > Ausmus.‎

We were 27-27 at the end of May, 65-34 since then. Throw the April/May stats against Detroit out the window.

Verlander has rediscovered his stuff and V-Mart is the best hitter in the league (yes even better than Cabrera and Trout right now).

I'm starting to get nervous.

The one thing that keeps me going is that we've seen a pretty strong correlation in recent playoffs that outstanding bullpens thrive in the playoffs and weak bullpens get shredded through like tissue paper. With the Tigers' pen being one of the worst in the league, I'm hoping that disparity is large enough.

Still... Scherzer, Price, Verlander... *shudders*

Verlander has rediscovered his stuff and V-Mart is the best hitter in the league (yes even better than Cabrera and Trout right now).

I'm starting to get nervous.

The one thing that keeps me going is that we've seen a pretty strong correlation in recent playoffs that outstanding bullpens thrive in the playoffs and weak bullpens get shredded through like tissue paper. With the Tigers' pen being one of the worst in the league, I'm hoping that disparity is large enough.

Still... Scherzer, Price, Verlander... *shudders*

Verlander? Really?

Since the is the first AL East title since '97 I don't care if we play the '27 Yankees. This team can, and will, compete with anyone.

I don't care. The games still need to be played. We could be swept yes but we could just easily sweep them. I refuse to let the Tigers intimidate me knowing that Buck and the guys approach things the same way.

They have no pen at all.

They have no pen at all.

They have Jim Johnson.

They have no pen at all.

They have a couple of guys you can see going 7 or 8 innings against us, which would greatly reduce their need for a pen. They will also be adding Sanchez to the pen, which could be a wildcard in the playoffs.

Verlander? Really?

Verlander was bad last year but looked great in the last 2 starts of 2013 and then was terrific in his 3 starts in the playoffs. I'm worried he's found his groove.