Cut4 postseason preview: Manager doppelgangers, robot pitchers and everything else you need to know about the Detroit Tigers
Playoffs? You kiddin' me? Uh, no, actually we're not. In case you've been holed up watching Gangnam Style videos for the last few months, here's what you need to know about the season that was and the postseason to come -- Detroit Tigers edition.
Also: Athletics, Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Nationals, Orioles, Rangers, Reds, Yankees
The Tigers are heading to the postseason as AL Central champs for the second consecutive season, and we can't say we're surprised. Detroit signed Prince Fielder to a monster contract in January, Justin Verlander remains one of the game’s top hurlers and you know Miguel Cabrera is going to be good every year (okay, maybe not THIS good). But Jim Leyland’s club still had to take care of business on the field, and take care of it they did.
- After a blistering second half, Cabrera looks like the odds-on favorite to take home AL MVP honors -- winning baseball’s first Triple Crown in 45 years will do that for you. Miggy’s main competition for the hardware is Angels center fielder Mike Trout. Those two engaged in a staredown in August, with the veteran third baseman sniffing for any signs of fear on the rook.
- Detroit has a reputation as a working man’s town, but the Motown fans have plenty of style. This guy, for instance, supported the hometown squad while modeling what we can only assume will be next season’s hottest fashion trend (and hopefully not real tiger). Then there’s this fan, who was spotted either supporting the Tigers on the road or coming straight from a Gus casting call. As for the full tiger suit, we can’t guarantee you’ll ever see that look grace the pages of GQ.
- Fielder was as advertised in his first AL season, hitting .312 and mashing 30 homers in a campaign reminiscent of his daddy Cecil’s Tiger years. Prince also did some damage on the bases, but staying hydrated in the field -- or maybe just counting to three -- proved harder than it looks.
- The first baseman also inspired a doppelganger at Citi Field, first sporting his old Brewers jersey and then the more current Tigers duds. Meanwhile, a mustachioed and sunglassed Jim Leyland lookalike cheered on Detroit at Safeco. It’s one thing to jump on the bandwagon. It’s another to dress like the bandwagon in front of 30,000 other people.
- They say you are what you eat, and Justin Verlander can take that quite literally after the debut of his Fastball Flakes. Maybe a nutritious breakfast is the key to a 17-win season. The Tigers ace may just make sure he keeps his secret stash away from these two -- they look pretty hungry.
POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS
- If we could accurately predict whether the Tigers will finish October with World Series rings, you wouldn’t have to watch the whole postseason. We’d also be millionaires. What we can predict with confidence is that at least one lucky lady will receive some special jewelry at Comerica Park this month.
- Despite hours of one-on-one batting practice with Fielder after the Tigers advance to the World Series, Justin Verlander’s career-long homerless streak extends to 40 plate appearances. The 2011 AL Cy Young winner vows to spend the winter learning Miggy’s secrets so he can compete for both the batting and pitching Triple Crowns in 2013.
- By the time Game 3 of the ALDS reaches the 25th inning, Leyland has already used every pitcher on his roster, both bat boys and Don Kelly on the mound. Ignoring Delmon Young’s claim of a killer curveball, the skipper makes history for all of robot-kind by calling Cy-ber Young in from the bullpen.