Tigers hurlers fanning hitters at record pace

DETROIT -- Tigers pitchers are getting opposing hitters to swing and miss at a record pace during the postseason.

Tigers pitchers went into Game 3 of the American League Championship Series having averaged 13.13 strikeouts per nine innings. That's the highest ratio for a pitching staff with at least 50 innings pitched in one postseason in Major League history.

The previous high was 9.96 strikeouts per nine innings by the Orioles' staff in 1999. The Tigers averaged 9.71 strikeouts per nine innings during the 2012 postseason. The Tigers, if they reach the World Series, would also have a shot at the most strikeouts ever by a staff in postseason. They currently have 89 strikeouts through seven games and 61 innings. The most strikeouts by a staff in one postseason was 151, by the Rangers over 16 games in 2010.

Tigers opponents have missed 33.4 percent of the time they have swung at a pitch. That's the highest ratio for a staff with at least 1,000 pitches thrown in one postseason. Their opponents have also put the ball in play on 27 percent of their swings, the lowest ratio all time in postseason play. Opponents have also put just 12.6 percent of the Tigers total pitches in play, also the lowest ratio all time.