BASEBALL

I have heard some talk about who they hope the Tigers play in the ALDS. The Angels have a tiny chance at the wild card, but their chance is so small that I won’t factor them in this.  The Tigers will play the wild card winner- the Rays or the Red Sox- if they tie or pass the Rangers for second best record in the AL.  They will open such a series at home on Friday.  If the Rangers stay ahead of the Tigers then the Tigers will open the playoffs inNew York on Friday.

I thought I’d go on record as hoping the Tigers face the Rays.  I don’t look at regular season records between teams much because the sample is so small, especially when you consider teams from other divisions.  I’ve heard fear of the Rays rotation.  The Rays do hold teams to under 4 runs per game.  But the Rays only score just over 4 tuns per game.  I trust Verlander to hold this line up down more than either of the other line ups.  Also, over the season so far New York has held teams to 4 runs a game so there is not much drop off there.  The Red Sox do allow 4.5 runs a game.  They score 5.5, however.  If you look at expected records based on scoring the Red Sox would be three games better than the Rays.

The Rangers finish with a series with the Angels.  The Rays finish with a series with the Yankees.  The Red Sox finish with a series with the Orioles.  Go Tigers.  Go Angels.  Go Rays.  Go Orioles.