AL Division Series Preview Texas VS Detroit

[debot tigers]

Texas Rangers Record: 89-73 VS Detroit Tigers Record : 92-70



Two of the stingiest defenses take to the field for this pivotal AL Divisional Series. Both teams were 1st and 2nd respectively in Runs scored against. And while Detroit has an edge in playoff success, along with home field advantage, one has to wonder if their devastating loss to in last year's Wild Card game to said Texas Rangers is weighing on them. All-star Pitcher Griffin Canning was asked this exact question recently; and stoicly noted that "the past was the past and this is a new year." Sportscenter also stoicly noted that Griffin has been seen frantically biting his nails in the clubhouse of late.

When this same question was posed (flippantly one might add) to Texan Captain Carlos Correa, he did not spare any words. Instead, with his aptly said nickname replied" I may have some but you have a lot of cajones to bring me that question. And we all better find ours fast. We limped into the playoffs. We had a great team meeting however and I am confident this team can re-group and repeat our playoff performance last year against Detroit."

It certainly should be a nail biter.....

Synopsis:

It is hard discern any significant differences between these two teams; their stat lines are almost identical. The Tiger's record may be buoyed by playing in a slighlty weaker division, but almost negated by their taking of the Season Series 4 games to 3. Pitching? It so often dominates in the playoffs. One would have to give a slight edge to the Rangers with two Cy Young pitchers leading the way in Stroman and Syndergaard. These two alone accounted for 12.5 WAR, which is more than the entire remaining staff was able to accumulate. Now whether Thor can bring his hammer is in question as he is listed day to day. If his injury nags at him one wonders if their fate lies in him.

The Tigers aren't immune to injury decimation either. Their Cy Young stud Carlos Martinez was shelved early in the year. It was a big loss and the Tiger's were able to sustain a stellar season. But with the season on the line, they are likely hoping their team can pick up the slack if scheduled game 3 starter Bobby Ramey with a mere 29 innings this year falters.

Edge: Rangers

Bullpen:

Ramey may not scream win for the Tiger's but their Bullpen sure does. Their closing duo of Crouse and Heidi have simply gotten the job done. While they haven't always been lights out, they have stepped up when it matters. Their success? When asked about this they both attribute their closing duties to their close relationship. They are often seen summering together in Europe exploring their Euro heritage.

And while the Ranger's Bullpen was strong and in the upper ranks for the most of the year; closing wasn't in the end. Their closer simply couldn't in the final month. His ERA of over 16 in month of Sept couldn't close a door little lone a game. Texas sure hopes he finds a handle this series.

Edge: Tigers

Offense:

You do have to wonder where the Rangers would be without the big injuries sustained to 2B Ozzie Albies and 3B Nick Gordon. They lost almost a whole season and almost 10 WAR. There is hope that Albies could return should the Rangers push through to next series. Now these two were probably more counted on for their defense, albeit they held their own with their bats. The Rangers will need 3-7 hitters to replicate their season in hopes of moving on. Team Captain SS Correa has but up MVP numbers this year.

G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG SB WAR
154 605 176 34 4 51 131 45 134 .291 .338 .613 2 5.2

If he can lead by example and one of either 2B Odor or RF Lewis step up, the Rangers have a real shot.

Where the Tigers lack in MVP caliber hitter is made up with depth. They have a steady diet of a tier or two below MVP players. For the Tigers to succeed they will need to count on their OBS leaders to get on base and round them. If SS Turang, CF Pearson, and 2B Castro maintain or come close to their OBS (.360/.354/.330) they may have a real shot. These three also combined for 71SB; they could very well steal the series.

Edge: Slightly Rangers

Defense:

The Rangers simply have the edge here and the numbers don't lie. Their Zone Rating and Errors are 2nd and 4th in the AL. The Tigers, while above average, come in at 9th/10th.

Edge: Rangers

Intangibles/Questions:

Can the Rangers overcome a dreadful September
Can the Tigers move past their devastating defeat to the Rangers in the 2024 Wildcard.
Who will win the coaching duel? Bugby or Cole? Bench moves so often define a series.

Stray Observations:

Will Chris Hemsworth make an appearance?
Will Stroman curtail his Tweeting
Will the Rangers actually have a Correa Bobbleballs?

Prediction:

Tigers in 6. Their home field advantage, in cold Detroit coupled with Texas limping into playoffs leads me to believe the Tigers will prevail.