Scuffed Balls

Tigers vs Rangers The Rangers ended the dream season of the Rays and now have there sights on doing the same to the Tigers. The Tigers come into the A.L.C.S. flying high after slaying the dragon that is the Yankees. Delmon Young's oblique injury suffered in game 5 vs the Yankees has forced him off the playoff roster for the A.L.C.S. and is a devastating blow to the Tigers. The Tigers are not playing right now if not for his bat in the division series. I do not think the Tigers can fill that void in the lineup. Don Kelly is the obvious choice but with 3 lefty starters for the Rangers lined up that negates Kelly. The only reason the Tigers have a shot in this series is Justin Verlander, i would start him in games 1, 4 and 7 but Leyland won't. The Rangers are the most complete team with a lineup packed from 1-9 and a deep bullpen bolstered at the trade deadline. Uehara , Adams and Gonzalez were outstanding pickups along with the move to put Ogando back in the pen should stiffle the Tigers in the later innings. Look for Josh Hamilton to have a huge series going up against the all righty starters for the Tigers. With the depth off the Rangers lineup, bullpen and non flashy just solid starters the Rangers should win in 5 but they have a habit off playing sloppy in the first games of playoff series and with the AL Cy Young and possibly MVP Verlander dealing this series will go 7.  In the end the Rangers bats and bullpen will be too much for the Tigers. The Yankees series took alot out of them and Delmon Young's injury makes it tougher. Verdict Rangers in 7.