1-0 the Final? No Problem!

I was truly surprised when, in Game 3 of the ALDS, Anibal Sanchez gave up three bombs to the Oakland Athletics, and the Tigers are suddenly down two games to one. When I heard that he would get the start to Game 1 in the ALCS, I thought it made sense. They can’t start Justin Verlander because he pitched Game 5 of the ALDS, and Max Scherzer had two innings of scoreless relief in Game 4. It looked like it might be a tough Game 1 for the Tigers.

Turns out, Sanchez pitches a quality game. People are saying that he pitched the game of his career, but it really wasn’t. He went six innings of scoreless and hitless pitching, striking out 12, but he also walked six and had two wild pitches. He also was behind in the count in most of his batters faced, as he pitched only 11 first-pitch strikes out of 25. 

But who cares, because the Red Sox could not get a hit whatsoever. The bullpen came on with three innings of scoreless relief, and it wasn’t until the 9^th where Boston got a hit. Thanks to Daniel Nava for preventing a five-pitcher no-hitter.

Jon Lester, the starter for the Sox, pitched fine, going six-and-a-third and giving up only one run on six hits. Craig Breslow and Koji Uehara, who were great in the regular season and in the ALDS, pitched themselves out of trouble in the 8^th and 9^th innings, giving up a combined three hits and two walks, but they refrained from allowing a run.

The only run was a soft single into center by Johnny Peralta, and that was it. It was a pitcher’s duel that was filled with the pitchers getting out of innings. 20 men were left on base in the game. 

It looks like Game 2 will be Max Scherzer (21-3, 2.90 ERA) against Clay Buchholz (12-1, 1.74 ERA).  In the ALDS, Scherzer went 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA (he started only one game). Buchholz received a no-decision in his outing against the Rays, going six innings and giving up three runs.

With the Red Sox down 1-0, looking pretty bad offensively too, is this a real tough sign for the Red Sox? I’d say no. The way that the Tigers played at home in the ALDS, it’s not like they won’t be able to win on the road. I’d say that they can even this series up tonight.

The team that should be worrying is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Not only are they now down 2-0 in the series, but they lost starter Clayton Kershaw too. Michael Wacha, who has been my favorite to watch these past two months, shuts out yet another team, as this score was 1-0 too. The last time both Championship Series ended in a 1-0 game, well, I don’t know the last time that happened. I’ve never seen it before. 

Clayton Kershaw had a fine game, as the run he gave up wasn’t even earned. He finished giving up only two hits in six innings. Michael Wacha gave up five hits and a walk in 6-and-two-thirds, striking out eight. The bullpen was perfect, and Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side in the 9^th. 

The Dodgers left six men on base, including leaving the bases loaded with one out. The Dodgers have now used arguably their two best starters in Kershaw and Zack Greinke, and the Cardinals still have Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn. I don’t think they will sweep, but man does it look good for St. Louis. 

Tonight will be just one game, but hey, sometimes we need to relax with just one game. Will the Red Sox or Tigers win Game 2? Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com with your pick, and I’ll put up a poll tomorrow.

-Evan Boyd