The Tiggers have had some bad breaks throughout this World Series, and are now one game away from elimination, while playing against a team that is no better than the 2006 Texas Rangers.
Again, something to remember the next time someone argues that a Ranger team in the playoff hunt shouldn't bother trying to make moves to get to the playoffs, because they'll just be swept once they get there anyway...
Evan Grant questions the decision to go with Justin Verlander instead of Kenny Rogers tonight...personally, I don't think it really matters, since Detroit has to win all three games. If you start Rogers tonight, and win, you are then bringing Verlander back with extra rest, which runs the risk of leaving him rusty.
Now, if you believe that Verlander has worn down over the course of the season, and would benefit from the extra rest, then it probably would make sense to flip Rogers and Verlander. But the bottom line is, the Tigers are going to have to win each of their starts, and I don't think it makes much difference who pitches tonight and who pitches tomorrow.
The bigger issue, I think, is the decision to have Bonderman just pitch one game, with Nate Robertson having to pitch game seven (if necessary). Bonderman is better than Robertson, and I haven't understood that decision at all...
There's a good piece on Danny Ray Herrera over at Baseball Analysts...good article, definitely worth checking out...
Kat O'Brien has an update on the managerial situation, but there really isn't much change...the Rangers and Trey Hillman are working on the logistics of an interview, and then once Hillman is interviewed, Don Wakamatsu has his turn.
O'Brien does report that John Russell and Manny Acta are both supposed to interview with the Washington Nationals, and has an update on some shuffling being done in the scouting department. Evan Grant also has a piece hitting on these issues...