The Oakland Athletics simply had no answer for Justin Verlander’s sensational pitching as the Detroit Tigers ensured their postseason continued following a 6-0 victory in the deciding game of the series.
The Tigers never looked in any danger as Verlander turned in some impressive MLB scores, thanks to one of the most dynamic pitching displays in recent American League history; throwing nine solid innings and only conceding four hits, striking out 11 and continuing his stunning 0.56 ERA from another impressively consistent season for the five-time All Star.
The 29-year-old admitted he had been determined to pitch the entire game, knowing just how important it
was for him to be in the zone for the deciding game of the series.
"I think it's one of those things, I expected to go nine innings, In this situation, in a Game 5, I wanted to go all the way," Verlander said.
If the 2011 MVP and MLB world series picks can continue this form in the rest of the postseason then the Tigers will be confident coming up against any batting line-up they face. Detroit manager Jim Leyland admitted he had full confidence in his starting pitcher to be a tough prospect for any batter in the league.
"He had a look in his eye today, A complete-game look in his eye. Justin Verlander's a pretty tough chore for anybody and a great asset to our team,” Leyland said after Verlander’s pitching master-class.
The Tigers may still not be many people’s favourite to be in with a chance of World Series glory, but with Verlander in this sort of form then there really is no reason as to why Detroit couldn’t win their first major league title since 1984.
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