And then there were two...

games, that is.

For the first time on this blog, I'll mention the "magic number," which, of course, is 2. I've neglected bringing it up because what good is it talking about the magic number when it's 18? 13? When the team can whittle it down to "2," that's manageable.

I hoped Leyland would manage last night's game as if it were Game 7 of the Series, and he did just that. Somehow Bonine escaped a rough first inning and didn't allow a run the rest of the way. Leyland replaced Bonine with his doppelganger, Zach Miner. Now, Miner is one of those Jeckyll-and-Hyde pitchers. He's either lights-out or a powder keg. In September, Miner has had twelve appearances. In ten of those, he's pitched 15 total innings, allowing an astouding ZERO earned runs. In the other two, he gave up 4 runs and 6 hits in 2 innings of work. Last night, we got the good Miner, as he plowed through the Twins in the 6th and 7th innings. Miner gave up two hits in the 8th, but trusty Lyon pitched out of the jam with two straight Ks.

As for the bats, well they came through. Despite falling behind 2-0, the Tigers rallied in the 2nd inning off crafty Carl Pavano. Inge hit a two-run double, and then Ramon Santiago scored two more off a single. In the 5th, with two outs and the bases loaded, Magglio notched the most clutch hit of his season by clearing the bases with a double. That was it for Pavano. He left the game with 7 earned runs. Coming into the game, he had only allowed 7 earned runs against Detroit for the entire season!

Rodney pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, and the Tigers now stand on the brink of the division title. If they win today, they clinch it. If they lose, they'll have to take 2 of 3 against the White Sox to guarantee a post-season berth. Is it too much to ask to have the Tigers win today? With Robertson lining up against the Twins' ace, Scott Baker, it just may be. Robertson did beat Baker a mere eleven days ago in the Metrodome, but Robertson wasn't nearly as sharp in his last start - a shellacking at the hands of the White Sox. Robertson should aim for a Bonine-like performance. Just try to keep the score close. Normally, relying on the Tiger bats is a recipe for disaster. Perhaps with the division title within their reach, the bats will continue the hot streak.

Game within the game
Heard about this gem on the radio this morning. A Minnesota fan put up a video on youtube, showing Mauer tipping Verlander's pitches to the batter, Kubel. Mauer is on second base and can see the signs from Laird. When it's a curveball, Mauer taps his ear. When it's a fastball, Mauer taps his face. The Minnesota fan held his camcorder in front of his TV screen, so the quality is poor, but he added running commentary on the youtube clip.

While I often complain about Laird's bat, he has truly excelled this season at catcher. He should win the Gold Glove for the sheer number of runners he's thrown out trying to steal. This video is another example of the intangibles Laird brings to the table:



For the record, I have no problem with this level of gamesmanship. The video title says the word "cheating." I don't necessarily agree with that. If Mauer and Kubel are savvy enough to tip the pitches, then more power to 'em. It's all part of the game within the game.