The Detroit Tigers face off with the Baltimore Orioles in one of the most intriguing series of the Divisional Round.
Both teams used a blend of power and pitching to claim their respective division titles, pitting them head-t0-head for a shot at the ALCS.
Records:
Baltimore: 96-66, 1st place in AL East
Detriot: 90-72, 1st place in AL Central
Season Series: Detroit won 5-1
Baltimore Outlook: Despite a number of key injuries and suspensions - Manny Machado (knee), Matt Wieters (elbow surgery), Chris Davis (25 games suspension) - the Orioles reached the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Led by free agent gem Nelson Cruz (40 HR, 108 RBI) and center fielder Adam Jones (29 HR, 96 RBI) Baltimore put together one of the top offensive teams in the league.
An underrated pitching staff was a key part of their run to the playoffs as well. Game One starter Chris Tillman produced a solid season atop the rotation, going 13-6 with a 3.34 ERA.
Wei-Yen Chen posted a career high 16 wins and a 3.54 ERA, while closer Zach Britton finished with 37 saves and a 1.65 ERA
Detroit Outlook: The Tigers struggled in the early portion of the season, but rebounded to hold off the Royals for the AL Central crown.
Miguel Cabrera had a 'down year' as he only hit 25 home runs and drove in a team-high 109 runs. Victor Martinez had a resurgence, finishing with a .335 batting average and 32 home runs - both tops on the Tigers.
The pitching staff was anchored by Max Scherzer, who led the team in wins (18), strikeouts (252) and ERA (3.15). Justin Verlander struggled to the tune of a 15-12 record with a 4.54 ERA.
Those two, along with trade acquisition David Price (15-12, 3.26 ERA) form one of the most dominant trio of starters in baseball. Not surprisingly, they are lined up as the first three starters of the series.
What to watch for: In a series that looks like a slug fest, the pitching is going to play a pivotal role. While Detroit has the household names in their rotation, Baltimore has the arms to compete with a strong Tigers lineup.
Home runs should be aplenty, but whichever pitching staff can limit the damage long enough for their respective offense to get rolling will have the upperhand.
On the Detroit side, look for Verlander to get back on track - he has a career postseason ERA of 3.28, along with 108 strikeouts in 93.1 innings.
The Orioles will look for Nelson Cruz to continue his magical season - Cruz has 14 career postseason home runs, including eight in the 2011 World Series run with Texas.
What they're saying - Orioles:
20 important moments from Orioles season (so far) (The Baltimore Sun)
Nelson Cruz and Delmon Young could become difference makers (Camden Chat/SBNation)
What they're saying - Tigers:
Davis may make ALDS roster even if he can't play Game 1 (MLive.com)
How will the Tigers use Soria, Sanchez in ALDS? (Bless You Boys/SBNation)
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Baltimore Orioles News & Rumors
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