This afternoon I was talking baseball at a party and gave my opinion of Game 1 tonight. I felt with Verlander going against Reyes, Detroit would have a definite advantage.
Boy, was I ever wrong!
Reyes was solid through eight innings allowing only one run. When Craig Monroe banged one out in the bottom of the ninth, he was taken out. Nonetheless, a surprisingly good outing from the 25-year old. He was helped by some timely hitting by Rolen and Pujols.
Verlander allowed 7 runs in his 5 innings. To his credit, the Tigers left their gloves in the dugout committing 3 errors. Verlander did strikeout 8 and only allow only 6 hits so it was a matter of bad timing.
I’m saying the obvious here but winning the first game and winning in Detroit is big for St Louis. But it’s just one game. Fellow TBZer LeekNay observed to me that so far this postseason, the underdog has won every time. I thought about it and he’s probably right (some folks might question the A’s/Twins series but I’ll give it to him). That fact may help the Cardinals.
Or at least give them hope.