The Detroit Tigers and the Oakland A's are set to square off in what might be the least predicted ALCS in recent memory. Of the two teams, Oakland appeared in the ALCS most recently in 1990, when Mark McGwire still looked like Marky Mark.
Despite the unlikely participants, the 2006 ALCS promises to be one of the better playoff series since the Red Sox beat the Yankees in 2004.
Both the Tigers and the A's are playing great baseball and despite their lack of media coverage, both have talented teams. However, the Tigers' superior pitching and deep lineup, combined with their managerial advantage, will push them over the edge and into their first World Series since 1984.
The Tigers were first in the majors in ERA at 3.84, led by rookie sensation Justin Verlander. Verlander is joined by fellow 23-year-old Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson and the sometimes camera-shy Kenny Rogers. Of those four, Bonderman had the highest ERA in 2006 with a 4.08.
The Tigers bullpen is one of the best in baseball. Led by closer Todd Jones and flamethrower Joel Zumaya, the Tigers bullpen shuts down opposing teams in the late innings.
Despite the unlikely participants, the 2006 ALCS promises to be one of the better playoff series since the Red Sox beat the Yankees in 2004.
The A's bullpen is anchored by Huston Street, who has been as unreliable as Alex Rodriguez at the plate in the postseason (4 for 41 for those of you scoring at home). Street blew three of his last four save chances in the regular season, and allowed two hits in the ninth inning of game three of the American League Division Series against the Twins.
Detroit's lineup is better top-to-bottom than Oakland's. The Tigers finished third in the AL in homers, despite not having one 30-homer player. Shortstop Carlos Guillen is one player to keep an eye on, as he was on fire in the first round of the playoffs, going 8 for 14.
Oakland's Frank Thomas is the best power hitter in the series, but the A's lack of production from their second and third hitters Milton Bradley and Mark Kotsay (a combined three for 27 in the playoffs) will end their World Series aspirations.
Some might be inclined to pick the A's because they have home-field advantage due to the fact that they won the AL West while the Tigers are the Wild Card team. But over the past 20 ALCS's, the home team has only won 10 times. Home field advantage in the ALCS is less important than many believe.
On the field the Tigers have the edge and there is no question which team has the advantage in the dugout. Tiger's manager Jim Leyland won one World Series championship and two NL Manager of the Year awards before Oakland's Ken Macha even began managing in the Major Leagues.
With these managers, expect Tigers pitching to dominate, and the Oakland A's to revert back to their usual postseason ineptitude.
Though rumors are unconfirmed, word on the street is that Pete Rose has the Tigers in six.
