Let the Fall Classic Begin!
posted in World Series |We’ve had a week of talk, rest, conjecture, dreams, perspective, lack-of-perspective, and just plain wanting to get it started. But none of that fancy pants, spiritual stuff now. It’s time to play the game.
Tonight. Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Tigers. He’s received a lot of accolades and a lot of national attention this postseason, but as Bilfer points out, just hasn’t pitched like the Verlander we’ve come to expect. Maybe it’s because he’s putting the most innings on his arm in his life, who knows. But he’s been a cool cat on the mound even while giving up some hits, so starting the first game of the Tigers’ first World Series in 22 years shouldn’t be a problem for him.
He’s rested at least. He hasn’t pitched for 10 days — since Oct. 11 — a long layoff. He had the extra rest before taking on the Yankees, too. That worked alright. He came out throwing fire, but gave up four runs. His last extended rest period in early August wasn’t especially helpful either. But all it takes is one more good start, and with a little luck and little skill, maybe it will be the last time he’s needed this season.
He’s got a good defense behind him, and a lineup that’s riding a wave of six straight playoff games won by three runs or more. And there will be 43,000 screaming Tigers fans, many of them new to the baseball playoffs but certainly experienced in making noise for a championship team.
Today, only two teams are still playing baseball. By Halloween, it’s all over until spring training. Let’s see if our guys will be the last ones standing.
Go get ‘em, Tigers!