Big Choke
 

Thomas has been hitting mistakes like that in the seats the whole 2nd have.That's the difference in this series.A's got here with him,and they sure aren't gunna win it without him.They can afford to have Swisher and/or Scutaro choking at the plate,but not big Frank.

Detroit has shocked me. They looked so bad coming into the playoffs and were all but eliminated after losing game 1 to the Yankees. Nothing makes sense to me anymore. I was so wrong about the Tigers. The other slumping team, the Cardinals, slide into the NLCS facing a team who is plenty beatable. Who knows what to expect in that series.

Just throwing this stat out there, but the last time a team went into the playoffs on a five game losing streak, they won the whole thing.

Well,I guess somebody who knows more about the Tigers will have to enlighten us about the team.I don't see why they would ever slump,but they must not always hit like this.The 2 starters for Oakland didn't pitch very well,but the Tigers also seemed to know exactly what pitch was coming.Then,if you hang the pitch they are sitting on(like Loiza did a few times last night,)you will get hurt.One thing is for sure.The A's got over the finish line in the regular season,and the ALDS, because one guy carried them.If he doesn't hit,they don't win.Simple as that.Maybe that is their greatest weakness(one guy's slump can send them home,and that's exactly what is taking place so far.)I waited the whole 2nd half for this guy to get hurt,or slump.It didn't happen.He is "feeling it" now though.The A's are a very odd team.They seemed to always revel in one thing.They were downright arrogant when they pulled off flawless defensive plays.That belief (in their defense being able to stop people from scoring,)was a huge part of this team.The loss of Ellis (combined with a couple other poor defensive plays)has really hurt this team's confidence.They don't have that same arrogant swagger now.Frustrating people(with their defense) was their lifeblood.That's how quickly things can change.One guy on offense not getting it done.One guy on defense being gone.

scuds / gander

i heard all the "suc*er" $$$ went on oakland - that was a clear sign to take DET -

It looks like a sweep here or DET in 5