The Wild Card round is over, so it’s now time for the Division Series to start. First up on Thursday’s dual-game schedule are the Tigers and Orioles, with Detroit visiting Baltimore for the affair. On the mound for the Tigers is 2013’s Cy Young winner, Max Scherzer, who had himself another great season with 220 innings and a 127 ERA+.
Tigers, Orioles set lineups for ALDS Game 1
The ALDS is beginning on Thursday, with Max Scherzer on the mound for Detroit and Chris Tillman for Baltimore.
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Scherzer will be taking on a lineup without any real surprises in it. The O’s might look different than they did the last time you personally watched them, thanks to various injuries, but this is who they have been rolling with to cope.
Here we go, #Birdland! Our Game 1 #ALDS lineup. First pitch is 5:30 ET on TBS and WBAL Radio. #WeWontStop pic.twitter.com/URUJJL4Dt6
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) October 2, 2014 Manny Machado is out for the year after another knee surgery, and Chris Davis won’t be eligible to return from his suspension until the ALCS -- if the Orioles can get there -- so there’s your explanation for why Ryan Flaherty is batting in seventh in the opening game of a playoff series.
As for the Tigers, they’ll be taking on Chris Tillman. He’s not an ace, but he’s the closest thing the O’s have had over the past two seasons.
#Tigers lineup at BAL: Kinsler 2B Hunter RF Cabrera 1B V. Martinez DH J. Martinez LF Avila C Castellanos 3B Romine SS Davis CF Scherzer P
— #ShowYourStripes (@tigers) October 2, 2014 There are some flaws in the Tigers’ lineup, sure, but getting through the start of it, with Ian Kinsler and the still-capable Torii Hunter setting up for Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and 2014 breakout outfielder J.D. Martinez, is difficult for most pitchers. That’s the task Tillman has before him, though, if the Orioles’ homefield advantage is to mean anything.
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