ALDS Game 5: Tigers at Yankees, 7 pm CT

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2011 5:00 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Russell Martin of the New York Yankees slides in to home plate safe ahead of the tag of Alex Avila of the Detroit Tigers in the third inning of Game Four of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

There's just one game tonight. Naturally, it involves the Yankees. Conspiracy? To get a New York team an exclusive, the only game in this entire division series round that starts exactly at the beginning of East Coast prime time?

No. Couldn't be. Could it?

Actually, this has been a fun series to watch, what with a suspended game, some fine pitching from Justin Verlander and amazing defense by Curtis Granderson. The teams, who had originally hoped to use their aces (Verlander and CC Sabathia) in Game 5, instead have to settle for Doug Fister and Ivan Nova.

So be it. Here's something I wrote for Baseball Nation on winner-take-all games in the postseason, and how many have been won by home teams and visiting teams. The answer might surprise you.

More info after the jump.

7 pm CDT for Yankees/Tigers. Series tied 2-2. Brian Anderson (play-by-play) will call the game alongside Ron Darling (analyst) and John Smoltz (analyst) with Tom Verducci as a reporter. There's a pregame show that starts at 6:30 pm CDT.

MLB.com Gameday for Yankees/Tigers

Baseball-reference.com game preview for Yankees/Tigers

SB Nation game preview for Yankees/Tigers

This is the only thread I'm posting for today's game. If you need overflows due to extra innings or rain delays, post them in the fanshot section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

If the Tigers lose

I have no idea who I’m going to cheer for this postseason.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 6, 2011 5:40 PM CDT reply actions

Bud Selig's retirement.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 6, 2011 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I won't cheer for that

because the owners will hire someone exactly like him.

Bud just does what the owners want him to do.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 6, 2011 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I would love to see Cal Ripken be the next commissioner.

He’s respected by fans, players, owners and the media. I think he’d be a great choice. Which is precisely why he probably won’t get picked.

by jeffmills1972 on Oct 6, 2011 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions

The commissioner does

what the owners want him to do or he gets fired. It’s that simple.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 6, 2011 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Isn't Torre

being groomed to be the next commissioner.

by ddoubleheader on Oct 6, 2011 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I doubt it

He’s only six years younger than Bud. He’s just getting a fat pension from MLB. I’m sure they’ll hire someone younger.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 6, 2011 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions

The current one does that. The next one could change that.

by jeffmills1972 on Oct 6, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

And the next head of the MLBPA might start pushing for the owners...

But I don’t expect he’d have that title for long. Fact is, the commissioner is someone selected by the ownership group for the ownership group.

by bdlugz on Oct 7, 2011 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Exactly

The owners hire the commissioner. The owners pay his salary. And you expect him to represent the interests of people other than the owners? Ridiculous.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 7, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not cheering for anyone. I'm rooting against Milwaukee, though.

by jeffmills1972 on Oct 6, 2011 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, and St. Louis.

by jeffmills1972 on Oct 6, 2011 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Go el Tigres!!!!!

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Oct 6, 2011 6:34 PM CDT reply actions

viva los Tigres!!!!!

by daily2b on Oct 6, 2011 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Fister!

Pitched out of that jam in the 4th.

In related news, Joe Girardi is planning on using Ron Guidry in relief if the game goes to extras.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 6, 2011 8:50 PM CDT reply actions

No, Mike Quade has already inked him to a contract for next season

in his new role as GM and Manager.

by jpeters407 on Oct 6, 2011 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Sad to say jpeters407... but I believe

statements like that are punishable by life-time BCB bans… :] (careful, if things go bad, you could miss an entire year of: CLAP-CLAP-CLAPs!)

"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011

by jeffstorm2 on Oct 6, 2011 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions

In that case it was my alter ego that made me say it.

by jpeters407 on Oct 6, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I cannot say I truly 'hate the Yankees'...HOWEVER...

"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011

by jeffstorm2 on Oct 6, 2011 9:31 PM CDT reply actions

I can.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 6, 2011 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL. It's

that kind of hard-hitting, no-holds-barred commentary that makes you so popular dan!!! (I’d l.o.v.e. to see em eliminated!)

"So sad, This Cubbie Thing" Courtesy of E-Man, 6/25/2011

by jeffstorm2 on Oct 6, 2011 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I can as well.

If they play the Cardinals, I think I would root for the Cardinals. I just hope I never have to find out.

by jpeters407 on Oct 6, 2011 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely

I did in 1964 and have no regrets.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 7, 2011 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Me, too.

Grew up hating the Yankees … nuthin has changed.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 7, 2011 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions