
In an act described as anything from desperation to stubbornness ot insanity, the Detroit Tiger skipper [left] told a media gathering yesterday afternoon that he would not be using his two top closers in Game 5 of the ALCS against Texas. To his point, Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde were at critical mass with extensive duty for two consecutive games, each having experienced his highest pitch total of the season over the previous 48 hours. But if announcing their day off with such certainty was a surprise, his next revelation was the stuff triple-dog dares were made of.

Hours later, Verlander used his legs and once again lifted the franchise onto his shoulders, in a somewhat shaky yet nonetheless dominant 132-pitch effort that carried the Tigers two outs into the eighth inning with a three-run cushion. Just enough comfort for the often hurl-inspiring relief hurler as it turned out. Buoyed by Leyland's confidence, Coke fought through a trio of Texas hits and mowed down the heaviest part of the lineup in the ninth to close out a gutty 7-5 win, closing the Rangers' lead in the best-of-seven series to three games to two.
With every spin, twirl and plunge of this team's postseason thrill ride, we're all getting to know more about Leyland, the smoking gun behind the explosive ball club. First of all, we can see that he's having the time of his life. There's no bitterness, no profanity-fueled tantrums at home plate, and no hand-wringing at the collection of wounded soldiers within his ranks. When asked if he was worried about taking the field without Delmon Young, Magglio Ordonez [above] and the newly injured Delmon Young in the lineup, Leyland gave his questioner a look of chagrin. "Worried? I'm excited. We're in the American League championship series. We just went to New York and beat the Yankees, and now we're playing for the pennant. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity."

As if that weren't enough to make one question the notion of fairness, Martinez [left] pulled an oblique muscle of his own, during his swing that sent a Colby Lewis pitch deep into the Comerica Park bleachers in the Tigers' game 3 win. Who knew hitting a homer could be such a health risk?
Most of us find fascination in things like sportfishing or . Skip finds it in the intricacies of manipulating the fractured elements of his team. Victor's oblique muscle isn't quite as immobilizing when he bats right-handed; however, his knees won't allow him to play catcher any more this season. Despite what's being called a "minor patella" issue, catcher Alex Avila is the only option behind the plate, his defensiveness and pitch management being central reasons why anyone batting .080 in the playoffs (and falling!) would remain in the lineup. And Delmon Young's oblique injury seems to affect his ability to throw more than his ability to hit. "Hmmm... [deep Marlboro inhale]... what if I make Young the DH, bat Victor against lefties and pinch hit with Don Kelly?" There's costumes in the barn and dad knows music. What if we put on a show?

Avila re-aggrivated his damaged knee during Game 3 of the ALDS, when he stepped on Yankee first-baseman Robinson Cano's foot while attempting to beat out a bunt. The knee is now grotesquely swolen, to the extent that Leyland will only refer to his pregame training room regimen as "unbelievable." It has started to affect his other knee as well, and as that knee goes, so goes the fate of this team.
But don't tell that to Jimmy Smokes. He's too busy creating a world champion. One man's M*A*S*H unit is another man's masterpiece.
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