After a round of Wild Card matchups, Division Series, our nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you (woo woo woo). A pair of American League Division series get underway on Thursday, providing baseball fans with plenty to watch.
MLB playoffs schedule 2014: Both AL Division Series start Thursday
The Orioles host the Tigers, and the Angels take on the Royals as the American League Division Series kick off.
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
While the Royals were winning the AL Wild Card Game in epic fashion in Kansas City, the Tigers and Orioles were getting set to kick off divisional action in Baltimore. The Royals took their brief respite from game action to get settled in Anaheim, and will partake in the evening action. Detroit will be looking to prove that the hit their defense took with Austin Jackson departing won't cost them, and Baltimore seeks to show that a deep lineup can outlast an impact starter. The Royals look to prove they're no one-game wonder, but the Angels look to back up their best record in baseball with a statement victory in game one.
Tigers at Orioles, Game 1
Time: 5:37 p.m. ET
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
TV: TBS with Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling and Cal Ripken, Jr. calling the game
Radio: ESPN Radio, with Chris Berman and Rick Sutcliffe as the announcers
Chris Tillman will toe the rubber for the Orioles, as Max Scherzer takes the mound for Detroit. Baltimore doesn't have the pitching firepower to match up with Detroit's star-studded rotation, but they have a deep lineup despite the losses of Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Matt Wieters. They also have the bullpen Tigers' fans can only dream of, with Zach Britton backed up by Darren O'Day and Andrew Miller, among others. Detroit carries a lineup to rival Baltimore's, anchored by Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. With the homer-prone Tillman on the mound, it wouldn't be surprising to see a few balls leave the yard in the early going in this one.
Royals at Angels, Game 1
Time: 9:07 p.m.
Location: Angel Stadium
TV: TBS, with Brian Anderson on play by play, with Dennis Eckersley and Joe Simpson as analysts
Radio: ESPN Radio, with Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton in the booth
The Angels have Josh Hamilton returning from a bevy of cortisone shots taken in an attempt to return from various upper body maladies. Hamilton has missed 21 of the last 22 games due to injury, so rust is not only possible but probable. He'll hope to shake off any rust as he takes on left-hander Jason Vargas.
Vargas isn’t exactly a dynamic pitcher, but he’s used to pitching in Anaheim after spending the 2013 season there. Vargas is used to logging a lot of innings, something the Royals could use after their 12-inning affair in Kansas City on Tuesday night.
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