ALCS Game 6: Tigers Eliminated On Victorino Grand Slam

Oct 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino (left) reacts after hitting a grand slam off of Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Veras (31) during the seventh inning in game six of the American League Championship Series playoff baseball game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

After all the finger-pointing at the end of the day it was the bullpen that cost the Detroit Tigers the series as they lose in ALCS Game 6 5-2.  This time the victim was Jose Veras who gave up a Grand Slam to Shane Victorino in the bottom of the seventh.  The slam gave Boston a 3 run lead.  A lead the Tigers would not be able to overcome.

The loss brings the Detroit Tigers playoff run to an uncomfortable end.

It is a disappointing end to a season that had so much promise. The Tigers were the favorite of many baseball pundits to win the American League and the World Series. In the end however the Tigers looked tired and over matched, making base running mistakes and fielding errors en route to being eliminated from the 2013 playoffs.

Who Is To Blame

There will be plenty of finger-pointing to go around after this loss.  Prince Fielders poor performance, the bullpen’s inability to get out of jams, Miguel Cabrera’s injury and Jim Leyland’s line-up are all factors in the Tigers elimination. It is mind-boggling that a team with the probable Cy Young Award winner, MVP and possible Rookie Of The Year could fizzle the way they did in the playoffs. There really isn’t one person or reason you can pinpoint for the loss.  This was a team loss. Jim Leyland said it best during his post game press conference when he said “Collectively we just didn’t do enough.”

Turn On The Stove

So this marks the end of the season for the Tigers and the start of  the offseason. As Detroit Fans turn their full attention to the Lions and Red Wings, Dave Dombrowski and company will begin the process of breaking down the roster and making improvements. The Tigers still have many of the core players under contract for the next couple of seasons. Players like Phil Coke, Ramon Santiago and Victor Martinez could be headed out-of-town. Manager Jim Leyland will also be asked to make a decision about returning. But after some tweaking the Tigers will be World Series contenders again in 2014.

Keep checking with Detroit Jock City for all the latest analysis on the 2013 season and the coming offseason.