Detroit will win the ALCS

[Auggie]

It's because of the A's reluctance, and inability, to play small ball. For a team that values on-base percentage and that is built specifically around that purpose, that's what has always been so frustrating about them. Their sweep of the Twins was due in part to some very lucky breaks and some mental errors from Minnesota that masked that shortcoming.

Game one: Jason Kendall leads off the game with a single. As the number two batter, Mark Kotsay has has one responsibility -- advance the runner. If he does so successfully, Milton Bradley's single moves Kendall to third with one out, and Frank Thomas' deep fly ball to center scores Kendall. A's 1, Detroit 0. All Kotsay has to do is lay down a bunt. For a number two hitter, it's Baseball 101. Instead Kotsay swings merrily away into a fielder's choice, erasing the lead runner at second, and the A's eventually strand two.

In the broadcast booth, Lou Piniella says the following sometime in the fifth or six inning. To paraphrase, "They (the A's) don't run, hit-and-run, or bunt, which is why they hit into so many double plays (and don't score runs)." A's manager Ken Macha is quoted a little later as saying something along the lines like, "Well, our guys just can't do that".

"Can't do that?" Are you kidding me? Baseball is built around the notion of the sacrifice, advancing the runner, and manufacturing runs. It's something the greats of the game take pride in mastering. It doesn't matter how many games you won to get you to post season or how you got there -- in short series like the ALCS where you face superior pitching and defense, you must play small ball to win. Especially in the case of the 2006 A's, who rank among the bottom of all teams in regular season batting average and driving in batters in scoring position.

Is it because it's deemed more honorable to strike out swinging for the fences than to lay down a bunt? Is it because the home run instantly makes you the ESPN highlight hero of the night? Is it because the hours spent in the weight room have replaced brain cells with muscle mass?

It beats me. All I can say is that from this perspective is it looks like mighty Casey has struck out.

Detroit in five games.

[LisaM]

1. I'd like to think that's true!

Boy, Lou Piniella didn't have much to say about the Tigers, did he? I suspect that he wasn't planning on their being in this series.

I thought it was a good game with great pitching by the Tigers. I've always like Nate, and it was nice to see him get some early run support for a change.

[feminazi]

2. i'm an A's fan and i agree

i didn't see the game last night and i don't know if i can criticize macha for not bunting in the 1st, but it would have provided a lift to get on the scoreboard 1st. in a playoff game, i think you want to grab your chances when you can.

in the last month or so of the regular season the A's did steal and use more hit and runs. that said, it does frustrate me that they don't do it more often, especially with such a low team batting average. if your hitting strategy is to be patient and work the pitcher for walks, then why not play small ball to get those walks into scoring position? with the exception of thomas and maybe swisher, they're not homerun hitters either so i really don't get it.

it frustrates the hell out of me to hear the A's say that they can't bunt. then practice and learn how to! i think that's a lame excuse and i think they CAN bunt, they just don't want to. :shrug:

i'm still hoping they win, but i won't be upset if detroit does. better the tigers than the damn yankees!

[Auggie]

3. Seems the sacrifice is becoming a lost art.

Baseball owners idolize power hitters and reward them with huge contracts. No wonder players don't bunt, or get pissed when asked to.

[Broken_Hero]

4. it reminds me of the

small ball Seattle played in 2001...two major power hitters in thta lineup, and even then, they weren't 40hr's guys...just Boone/Edgar for power...and the rest of the lineup was small ball (except Cameron, he is a strike out victim).....

[Counciltucky]

5. I'm going with Detroit in four.

They just have that much momentum on their side.