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By Vtknowitall, Section MLB
The ALCS is a coin flip.
Oakland has had only one season of interesting football action and their basketball team is constantly rebuilding. However the A's have been consistently good, but never great. Now they have a chance. The American League is undoubtedly superior to the National League, but there is nothing certain about this series, other than the fact that the winner will have to win four games. It may take all seven to decide what looks to be a deadlock matchup, but what will decide it? Nobody can flip a coin and tell, because it is all about desire. Want to decide a game based on a pitching matchup? Here is Game 1's matchup: Barry Zito (3.63 regular season ERA) for the A's vs. Nate Robertson (3.64) for the Tigers. Well, looks like that did not decide anything. If the Tigers play like Kenny Rogers did in Game 3, they will win this series. Rogers was a mad man, driven to win by his past failures. He has been criticized for losing playoff games and having a bad temper. But he used his anger perfectly, channeling it into a great pitching performance to lift his team. His celebration after the Tigers won the series was priceless. The Tigers also have Jeremy Bonderman, ready to declare himself a great pitcher and put the 19 loss season out of people's thoughts. Tigers have the edge in motivation right? Not so fast. Frank Thomas came to Oakland to get away from the bad feelings in Chicago. He was actually on that team that won the World Series last season, but he played in just 34 games, making no major contribution and not stepping on the field during the playoffs. Looking towards retirement, his Hall of Fame credentials have come into question, but he is trying to put those doubts to rest with a great playoff performance. Leading this team to the World Series as a DH would make it almost impossible to not put him into Cooperstown. The Big Hurt also carried his team in their divisional series, hitting two home runs in Game one to beat Johan Santana at the Metrodome. His five hits and three runs led the pitching reliant A's to a victory over the Twins.
A's shortstop Marco Scutaro has had to fight to make the team the past two seasons, but his services have been in desperate need with injuries to Bobby Crosby. In Crosby's absence this postseason, Scutaro plans to take advantage, playing with his deceased parents in mind. Neither ever got to see him play after wishing for a better life for their son. The Venezuelan born Scutaro put the finishing touches on the Twins in Game three, belting a three run double in front of the A's home fans. He led the A's in RBIs in the ALDS. Story writing contestLog in or create an account to vote for this story!
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