So Why Are the Tigers in Game 5?

The two victories are by scores of 5-3 and 5-4; the losses by scores of 9-3 and 10-1, so you might think I'm asking that question the wrong way around.  But, really this has at least as much to do with Tiger failures as with Yankee success.  First notable item is their inability to hit the eminently hittable A.J. Burnett.  Sure Curtis Granderson saved his bacon a couple of times, but that accounts for only two outs in a 9 inning game.

Here's the story.  It's sad.  The players who are supposed to provide the offensive punch haven't done it.



The midline players have done about as you might expect.

Those part-time playing Twinkiesque back-of-the-roster guys have mostly overachieved, but they can't carry the team.

Note that Santiago's RBI count is only one behind Cabrera's.  Ramon knocked Inge in twice in game 3, else there would be no game 5.

I'm not going to post stats for the hated Yankees.  But I will note most of their guys are doing what is expected - except for Jorge Posada, who was on the bubble for making the post-season roster.   He's hitting .400, has 4 walks to go with his 4 hits, and has scored 4 times.

We shouldn't have to rely on Delmon Young hitting the occasional HR.  For the Tigers to win tonight, Cabrera has to put on his MVP shoes, and Martinez, Jackson and Avila need to show up with bats in their hands.  And Fister has to be Fister, not that imposter we saw on Saturday.

According to The Detroit Sports Site, Mags is in Right tonight, and Don Kelly will start at 3rd Base.  Betamit has worked himself out of the line up.  Kelly would be 4 for 7, but one of Granderson's Burnett-bacon-savers came from Kelly's bat.
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