The Texas Rangers pitchers started six games in the ALCS and managed to go six innings just one time. They allowed 36 hits, 21 runs and nine home runs in 28.2 innings while posting a 6.59 ERA. They didn't win a game.

But baseball games aren't won by starting pitchers. They're won by teams.

The Rangers had the better lineup, the better depth, the better defense, the better bullpen.  And they had Nelson Cruz.  (MORE>>>)

Everyone is going to be talking about Detroit's big inning on Thursday and the fortuitous bounce that probably saved their season for at least another day.

But it is what happened in the top half of that inning that really allowed the Tigers to head back to Arlington for a Game 6 and, of course, they have their future American League Cy Young Award winning right-hander Justin Verlander to thank for it.
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On the day the Tigers officially shelved Magglio Ordonez for the rest of the postseason, they replaced him by welcoming back Delmon Young.

Not only is Young back on the roster for the American League Championship Series after being left off two days ago with a strained left oblique, but he was in the lineup for Game 2, batting third and starting in left field.

Young suffered the injury on a swing in Game 5 of the AL Division Series win over the Yankees on Thursday night. He was going to be a gameday decision for the series opener, but the injury worsened while he was sitting around Friday afternoon. (MORE...)