Gary Cederstrom will be the home plate umpire for the game. He is ranked slightly below average and favours hitters with a tight zone. Most importantly perhaps is he's pretty calm and probably won't throw players out.
It's unfair to infer that Gibby doesn't know how to manage a WC game based on his regular season managing style. It was probably a prudent decision to go with his starters considering our 'pen was a horrific 23-32 with 22 blown saves.
Stroman gives up a .607 OPS first time through and it goes up to .764 by the third time. His ERA is also a run lower at home.
Tillman is the exact opposite. He gets crushed to the tune of an .800 OPS first time through and gets stronger.
The fact that they are so familiar with Stroman makes me nervous. Liriano dominated them so soundly last time out, I think in part because they had never seen him.
Chris Tillman is a career 2-6 with a 7.01 ERA in 68 innings at Rogers Centre. He also gives up an .800 OPS the first time through the lineup for his career.
I think he's set to start game 1 of the ALCS on regular rest. I know the game is important, but we've seen what happens when you mess with their routines.
If you want to make that asinine argument then Donaldson is the clear MVP. He's pretty much even with Betts and every win for us mattered. Their position wouldn't change without Betts.
Poor Mike Trout. This isn't like last year where it was close. He's miles ahead with Donaldson and Betts a distant second.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-actual-difference-between-mike-trout-and-mookie-betts/