The MLB Playoff Standings only have four teams remaining in the 2013 postseason. It's time for the ALCS and NLCS to take over as both leagues are down to just two representatives. The most recent casualty, the Oakland A's. The most recent victors, the Detroit Tigers. Here's how Game 5 of this ALDS matchup went as we look at the League Championship Series and the teams still alive in the postseason.
Verlander Blanks Again
So if the Athletics had a weakness, Justin Verlander appears to be it. He is the A's Kryptonite, but he's not a stone and he's not green, he is the Tigers best pitcher in the 2013 postseason. He threw eight shutout innings, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning and a no-hitter into the bottom of the sixth. Yoenis Cespedes broke up the no-hit bid, but the A's could not get a runner to cross home plate as the Tigers won Game 5, 3-0.
At the end of his night, Verlander had thrown eight innings, allowing two hits, one walk and picking up 10 strikeouts. For the series, that gives him a 1-0 record after pitching 15 innings, allowing six hits on two walks and 21 strikeouts. The A's simply cannot handle Verlander in the playoffs.
Miguel Cabrera, of course it had to be him, quickly got the Tigers in front hitting a no-doubter to left field as A's pitcher, Sonny Gray, left a fastball up in the strikezone. Victor Martinez continued to make noise with his bat, going 3-4 with a runs scored in Game 5.
Tigers in ALCS
The TIgers will now face the Boston Red Sox, who have been killing the ball and playing absolutely brilliant baseball in the postseason. During the regular season, the Tigers took four out of seven from Boston, winning the season series. However, the postseason gives every team a clean slate and the Red Sox have a great chance of taking this series if the Tigers' bats do not wake up.
For the Tigers, things must feel all too similar. This is the second straight year the defeat the A's in Game 5 in the O.co Coliseum and this is their third consecutive year playing in the ALCS. They made the World Series last year and the only goal should be a championship in 2013 as the Tigers payroll and roster are simply loaded with some of the game's best players.
Here's a look at the 2013 MLB Playoffs Standings as of Friday morning:
Detroit Tigers 3
Oakland A's 2------------- Tigers
Tampa Bay Rays 1
Boston Red Sox 3---------Red Sox
Los Angeles Dodgers 3
Atlanta Braves 1--------- Dodgers
Pittsburgh Pirates 2
St. Louis Cardinas 3-----Cardinals
