KEY PLAYERS
TIGERS: LHP Kenny Rogers
That players find motivation from slights is more cliché than reality. But Rogers has done so, driven by the desire to resurrect his image after being told he would never win in the playoffs while he was in New York. As a result, he’s pitching with dripping intensity. Rogers felt he had nothing to lose because internalizing his feelings never seemed to work in postseason play. With a firmer fastball and trust in all his pitches in all counts, Rogers has been the most effective starter in this year’s playoffs. He’s given up just seven hits and fanned 14 in 15 scoreless innings. Given the Cardinals’ misery against left-handers, he holds a critical advantage in this series.
CARDINALS: 1B Albert Pujols
The Cardinals have the second-worst record (83-78) of any team to make the World Series. To finish their improbable climb to a world title, they need electricity from Pujols. He muted Tom Glavine in Game 5 of the NLCS and must take advantage of every mistake in this series. Easy? Well, remember, the Tigers’ pitchers have already muzzled some of their most dangerous threats. Alex Rodriguez (.071), Gary Sheffield (.083), Jason Giambi (.125), Frank Thomas (.000) and Nick Swisher (.100) combined totaled one home run. For the Cardinals to prevail, Pujols needs to hit .350 with runners in scoring position as a concession to Scott Rolen’s and Jim Edmonds’ limitations.
Starting pitching
Cardinals: Former Tiger Jeff Weaver has been nothing short of a human Red Bull for a previously decaffeinated rotation. Another Dave Duncan reclamation project, Weaver gets the nod in the opener. Regardless of how Weaver pitches, for the Cardinals to have any chance in this Series, Chris Carpenter has to pitch like Cy Young. That he got outpitched by John Maine in Game 6 is inexcusable. A similar effort against Nate Robertson in Game 3 would guarantee the Cardinals’ elimination.
Tigers: Kenny Rogers always tilted more the way of Dr. Banner than the Incredible Hulk on the mound. But he’s been turning green this postseason, channeling emotion and anger into dominance. He hasn’t allowed a run and is symbolic of a Tigers’ pitching staff that has pitched according to scouting reports, changing their approach each series. The Tigers’ starters are 5-1 with a 3.33 ERA and Justin Verlander hasn’t hit his stride yet.
Edge: Tigers
Bullpen
Cardinals: For all the talk about the Tigers’ kids, the Cardinals quietly have youth gone wild. Closer Adam Wainright – nothing short of Joel Zumaya in red and white – Josh Kinney and Tyler Johnson have eaten innings, faced the toughest hitters and essentially saved the Cardinals’ season.
Tigers: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa talked about how the rest would benefit the Tigers. The six-day break allowed Zumaya – goes by Zoom-Zoom, throws 103 mph, perhaps you have heard of him? – to get his swollen wrist/forearm healthy. That leaves two blowtorch right-handers (Zumaya and Fernando Rodney) to set up closer Todd Jones, who hasn’t allowed a run in the playoffs for a bullpen with a 1.83 ERA. Given the Cardinals’ struggles against left-handers, top overall draft pick Andrew Miller might be added to the Tigers’ roster.
Edge: Tigers
At the plate
Cardinals: When praising St. Louis’ lineup, don’t forget the sarcastic left-handed compliment. The Cardinals stunk against left-handed starters this season, losing 34 games. That doesn’t bode well against the Tigers, given Kenny Rogers’ current grip on teams and Nate Robertson’s power arm. Truth is, the Cardinals’ lineup is short without a healthy Scott Rolen. Not only is Rolen not helping, he’s actually hurting the team offensively. With Jim Edmonds struggling against left-handers, Preston Wilson or Scott Spiezio needs to come up big.
Tigers: Manager Jim Leyland’s lineup rarely changes, but the order always does based on matchups and hunches. All have worked so far, particularly the use of gypsy Alexis Gomez. What’s unique about the Tigers is their anonymous players are a lot better than most fans believe. Placido Polanco grinds out at-bats – important for a team that strikes out a lot – Curtis Granderson is a blur on the bases and Craig Monroe, Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames have alarming power. The Tigers have a .353 on-base percentage in the playoffs. If Sean Casey can’t go because of a calf injury, Monroe slips to second in the lineup and Ramon Santiago would hit ninth.
Edge: Tigers
In the field
Cardinals: Ronnie Belliard plays somewhere between a shallow right and second base. He hangs in on double plays and David Eckstein is known as “Just Enough” because his throws barely beat runners. Scott Rolen is a Gold Glover, even in his diminished state. And Jim Edmonds, who has the uncanny ability to make the routine play look like a Web Gem, is reliable under pressure. That said, they just don’t seem themselves, worn down by age and an unmercifully long NLCS.
Tigers: Detroit isn’t flashy, save for Granderson’s wheels. But this workmanlike group is much better off with Sean Casey at first base and Carlos Guillen at shortstop. Guillen filled in admirably at first in the ALCS, but if he leaves the shortstop spot it weakens the team at two positions. The Tigers have committed just one error in eight postseason games.
Edge: Tigers
Managers
Cardinals: It’s hard to believe Tony La Russa has managed 27 seasons, been to the playoffs 12 times and won only one World Series – in 1989. La Russa is every bit the strategist that Jim Leyland, his good friend, is. But he lacks Leyland’s personality. His aloofness comes across as arrogance, even if it’s a bit unfair. La Russa’s greatest strength – his knowledge of the game – can become a glaring weakness when he overmanages his bullpen.
Tigers: Leyland has become the playoffs’ Dick Vermeil. Win a game, grab the Kleenex. Forgive him for being emotional. After a seven-year hiatus from the game, his ability to pull the right levers is borderline magical. Leyland’s strength is his ability to communicate. He knows exactly what to say at the right time to motivate players from the biggest star to the last guy on the bench.
Edge: Tigers
Intangibles
Cardinals: St. Louis is Baseball City, USA. Fans turn games into college football-like weekends and never turn on their players. Spiezio, Eckstein (with the world champion 2002 Angels), Edmonds and Rolen (2004 loss to Red Sox) all have recent World Series experience.
Tigers: The folks at Cheli’s Chili Bar or Hockeytown are going nuts. So are the parishioners at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Downtown Detroit has embraced this team with a bear hug. Home-field advantage is normally reserved for football, but anyone who has seen the Tigers at Comerica Park this postseason, particularly when Rogers pitches, would beg to differ.
Edge: Tigers
GAME 1
Saturday
St. Louis (J. Marquis 0-0, 0.00 or A. Reyes 0-0, 4.50) at Detroit (K. Rogers 2-0, 0.00), 5:30 p.m., KDVR-31
GAME 2
Sunday
St. Louis (Jeff Weaver 2-1, 2.16) at Detroit (Jeremy Bonderman (1-0, 3.00), 5:30 p.m., KDVR-31
GAME 3
Tuesday
Detroit (Nate Robertson 1-1, 5.91) at St. Louis (Chris Carpenter 2-1, 3.70), 6 p.m., KDVR-31
GAME 4
Wednesday
Detroit (Justin Verlander 1-0, 5.91) at St. Louis (Jeff Suppan 1-1, 1.89), 6 p.m., KDVR-31
GAME 5
Thursday
Detroit (Kenny Rogers 2-0, 0.00) at St. Louis (Jason Marquis 0-0, 0.00), 6 p.m., KDVR-31, if nec.
GAME 6
Saturday, Oct. 28
St. Louis (Chris Carpenter 2-1, 3.70) at Detroit (Jeremy Bonderman 1-0, 3.00), 5:30 p.m., KDVR-31, if nec.
GAME 7
Sunday, Oct. 29
St. Louis (Jeff Suppan 1-1, 1.89) at Detroit (Justin Verlander 1-0, 5.91), 5:30 p.m., KDVR-31, if nec.
Starting lineups
CARDINALS
SS David Eckstein
DH Scott Spiezio
1B Albert Pujols
LF Preston Wilson
RF J. Encarnacion
3B Scott Rolen
CF Jim Edmonds
2B Ronnie Belliard
C Yadier Molina
TIGERS
CF C. Granderson
2B Placido Polanco
1B Sean Casey
RF Magglio Ordoñez
SS Carlos Guillen
C Ivan Rodriguez
LF Craig Monroe
DH Marcus Thames
3B Brandon Inge
