ATLANTA – The Detroit Tigers did their fair share of hat-tipping in September.
Early in the month, it was White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez. Then, Twins righty Kyle Gibson. Both mediocre-at-best starting pitchers that kept the Tigers high-powered offense silent. But when October rolled around today, with the way they have been swinging as of late, one could not envision another tip-of-the-hat day.
Here, in the second-to-last game at Turner Field, was Aaron Blair, he of the 8.30 ERA in 14 starts this season, lulling the Tigers to sleep with breaking balls. Here was an offense that could not get anything going and a bullpen that couldn’t stop the bleeding.