We at Bless You Boys have said all through the off season we'll record podcasts whenever there's breaking news. Former Brewers 1st baseman Prince Fielder signing with the Detroit Tigers qualifies, you think? So we got the gang back together and started recording!

BYB Podcast 28 has a running time of 1:01, and features Kurt Mensching, Allison Hagen, Rob Rogacki and Al Beaton.

Topics discussed:

• Prince Fielder? For real?
• Was Tigers owner Mike Ilitch the driving force behind this signing?
• Is this contract all due to Victor Martinez tearing his ACL?
• Have the Tigers become prohibitive favorites in the AL Central?
• It's World Series or bust for Ilitch.
  
• Jim Leyland has to bat Miguel Cabrera 3rd and Fielder 4th, right?
• Where does Cabrera best fit in the field, if at all?
• If Cabrera moves to 3rd base, what happens to Brandon Inge and Don Kelly?
• A year from now, the Tigers will have Cabrera, Martinez and Fielder on the roster. Who plays where? Could we see a trade?
  
• If not Cabrera, who will be the DH?
• You may want to ignore them, but there are some parallels to 2008.
• The Cecil Fielder factor.
• Can the Tigers afford 3 players making $20 million plus a season?
• Is it too early to worry about future contracts and roster fallout 4-5 years down the line?
• Let's not forget the Tigers still need a starting pitcher, and possibly a DH.
• Is Yoenis Cespedes still an option?
• We’re already seeing a backlash. Some pundits and bloggers say the deal is too long, too expensive, Scott Boras is evil, Fielder won’t age well, the Tigers are over loaded with 1B/DH types, they should have signed a starter and a table setter, and so on. Do they have a point?

Brandon Inge mentions: Several!

Blogs mentioned: Fangraphs

We LOVE to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

The BYB Podcast can be streamed on-demand over your iPhone, Android Phone, BlackBerry or Palm phone via Stitcher radio! You can find links to the app at Stitcher.com.

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

We said in the last episode the BYB staff would convene for another podcast if there were news to cover. The Tigers announcing Victor Martinez tore his left ACL and would miss the entire 2012 season is considered NEWS, with a capital NEWS. Thus, we recorded Bless You Boys Podcast 27 (aka The David Tokarz Memorial Podcast) to discuss the fallout.

BYB Podcast 27 has a running time of 57:11, and features Kurt Mensching, Patrick O'Kennedy, David Tokarz and Al Beaton.

Topics discussed:

• No trolling, please!
• David has an announcement.
• How soon can Martinez return?
• Should the Tigers go for the short-term or long-term fix?
• WAR and Martinez.
• Lynn Henning says GO BIG with a trade, Drew Sharp, in a moment of lucidity, says get Vlad Guerrero..
• In house replacements: Why not Delmon Young or Ryan Raburn?
• What about Ryan Streiby?
• Unrealistic free agents, aka the Prince Fielder portion of the podcast.
• Realistic free agent pickups, aka the pretty much everyone else portion of the podcast.
• Is a trade possible?
• Prediction time: What will the Tigers ultimately do in their attempt to replace Victor Martinez's production?
• Bye bye, Zoom Zoom: Joel Zumaya signs with the Twins.

Brandon Inge mentions: Zero

We LOVE to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

The BYB Podcast is available via streaming on-demand for your iPhone, Android Phone, BlackBerry or Palm phone on Stitcher radio! You can find links to the app at Stitcher.com.

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

As the old saying goes, "Out of sight (or in our case, out of hearing), out of mind." With that in mind, here's the first Bless You Boys Podcast of 2012!

BYB Podcast 26 has a running time of 56:03, and features Allison Hagen, Kurt Mensching, and Al Beaton.

FYI: Old Time Family Baseball is hosting a weekend long blogathon ro raise money for Doctors Without Borders. They're good folk and it's a great cause. Click here to make a DONATION.

Topics discussed:

• Holidays!
• Pitchers and catchers report on February 20th. We were all burned out at the end of the season. Has the itch for baseball returned?
• Justin Verlander, Conan O'Brien and Taco Bell.
• Alan Trammell, Jack Morris, Lou Whitaker, hall of fame voting and the stupidity of the BBWAA.
• Rumor mongering with Roy Oswalt and Yoenis Cespedes.

Listener questions:

• Corey Luebke, fan trade scenarios and rosterbation.
• How will the Tigers fill the final rotation spot?
• Will the Tigers go with platoons at 2nd and 3rd?
  
• Really? Bad platoons?
• Spring training invitees: Surprises?
• What's the current status of ex-Tigers Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Joel Zumaya?
• Will Comerica Park be used in the NHL's next Winter Classic?
  
• How would you improve the game of baseball?
• Between Two Dugouts with the funny and mysterious Phil Coke's Brain: Was the interview for real?

Blogs mentioned: Brain Matters, Old Time Family Baseball.

Brandon Inge mentions:1

Sorry we didn't get to all your questions! We'll get them next time.

We LOVE to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

The BYB Podcast is available via streaming on-demand for your iPhone, Android Phone, BlackBerry or Palm phone on Stitcher radio! You can find links to the app at Stitcher.com.

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

It's been almost a month since we cranked out the last episode of the Bless You Boys Podcast. The holidays have come and gone, but we're dying to talk a little baseball...so we're going to hit the record button.

I'd like to try an all listener question show, as I know the BYB readership is just bursting at the seams with things to say. Plus, it makes my job easier when I don't have to come up with the questions!

So please give your friendly BYB editor a hand. Start typing up those questions!

Remember, there are several ways to submit a question to the BYB Podcast.

The easiest way to get involved is to leave your question in the comments of this post.

You can also email your question to: BYBPodcast at Gmail.com. Please mention your BYB handle in your message so the community knows who to blame!

Aren't registered to comment at BYB? Even though you should be, you can still reach us on Twitter, where the all the cool kids are making fun of, well, something or someone. Send us your question as an @ reply to our Twitter account, @BlessYouBoys.

Aren't on Twitter? Like everyone else in the universe, we're on Facebook too!

As always, your help and downloads are much appreciated!

The gang at Bless You Boys decided to get together one more time before the holidays to record the final Bless You Boys Podcast of 2011. It's our Christmas gift to you!

BYB Podcast 25 has a running time of 1:05 and features Allison Hagen, Patrick O’Kennedy, David Tokarz, Matt Wallace, Kurt Mensching, and Al Beaton.

Topics discussed:

• Allison takes on MLB's Winter Mettings...and both MLB and Allison survive.
• Brandon Inge got in a car accident, which is the only way he can hit something.
• Meet Octavio Dotel!
• We say goodbye to Ryan Perry, hello to Collin Balester.
• Will Rhymes was non-tendered.
• Could Miguel Cabrera bat 3rd in 2012?
• Tigerfest cancelled!
• Rumor mongering with Jacob Turner.
• Billy Beane wants the moon for Gio Gonzalez.
• Are the Hanley Ramirez rumors just Ken Rosenthal throwing crap to see what sticks?
• Could the Tigers really be interested in Jimmy Rollins?
• Any off season moves will be based on first acquiring Yoenis Cespedes.
• Do the editors agree with the BYB readership, is a big move or two needed to win the AL Central?
• Are you outraged over the Ryan Braun PED scandal, or have you reached the point of 'roid fatigue?
• Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson get crazy money from the Angels...or are they crazy like a fox?
  
• The Marlins are throwing around cash like Tony Montana snorts cocaine.
  
• You should be reading the blogs of Phil Coke's Brain, Dirk Hayhurst and Rogo.
• Kurt's birthday is on Christmas Eve...and no one ever remembers.

Brandon Inge mentions:1

We apologize for the lack of listener questions. They'll be back, so hang in there.

We LOVE to hear from you. If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

The BYB Podcast is now available via streaming on-demand for your iPhone, Android Phone, BlackBerry or Palm phone on Stitcher radio! You can find links to the app at Stitcher.com.

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

We're baaaaack! The batteries have been recharged and there is news a-plenty, so the Bless You Boys Podcast has come out of hibernation!

A wide ranging podcast runs 1:36 (that's what happens when you take time off, there's a backlog of news), featuring the dulcet tones of Allison Hagen, Rob Rogacki, Kurt Mensching, and Al Beaton. We also introduce Patrick O’Kennedy as TigerDog1.

FYI: The BYB Podcast is now available for streaming on-demand on your iPhone, Android Phone, BlackBerry or Palm phone via Stitcher radio! You can find links to the app at Stitcher.com.

Topics discussed:

• BYB has access! We're somebody now!
  
• Allison is headed to MLB's Winter Meetings, plans to stalk Dave Dombrowski.
• The history, the process, the results, the DIBS Awards.
• Little Victor lost the DIBS vote? We want a recount! Heads will roll...
  
• Justin Verlander sweeps the Cy Young and MVP!
• Dave Dombrowski honored.
• Manager of the Year = overrated.
• Silver Slugger and Glove Glove awards are not to be taken seriously.
• Jose Valverde's option picked up.
  
• Ramon Santiago re-signed.
• Platoons at 2nd and 3rd base? It could happen...
• The return of G$, aka Gerald Laird.
  
• 40 man roster updates.
• Why won't the Tigers talk about their arbitration decisions?
• Rumor mongering with Yoenis Cespedes, Aramis Ramirez, Mark Buehrle, Octavio Dotel, Coco Crisp, Kelly Johnson, Maicer Izturis, Martin Prado, and Chone Figgins.
• Stupid crazy free agent contracts.
• Gene Lamont will not be freed.
• Patrick breaks down the new CBA.
• Final thoughts are just glad to be back!

Brandon Inge mentions: 2

We apologize for the lack of listener questions. They were left out because the podcast would have been a good 6 hours long otherwise. They'll be back, so no worries.

We LOVE to hear from you. If you would like to have your question on the podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

Tigers fans may not have Jim Leyland's long-time 3rd base coach, top strategist and sidekick, Gene Lamont, to kick around much longer. He is reportedly interviewing with the Red Sox and new GM Ben Cherington for their open managerial job.

For those of you who have it in for Lamont, I wouldn't get your hopes up. It seems he's one of a cast of thousands the Red Sox are interviewing. It's damn near a cattle call.

Via Ian Browne of MLB.com:

Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. will interview for the post at Fenway Park on Wednesday.

Torey Lovullo, who managed Boston's Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate in 2010 and was the first-base coach for the Blue Jays this past season, will interview on Friday.

Tigers third-base coach Gene Lamont, who filled that same role for the Red Sox in 2001, will get his chance to speak with Cherington about the job on Saturday.

The Red Sox have already interviewed Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.

And yes, that is former Tiger Torey Lovullo. Sparky Anderson fell in love with Lovullo back in spring training 1989, handing him the starting 1st base job. Lovullo proceeded to hit .115 and was sent down in mid-May, never to return to Detroit. It was deja vu all over again, if you remember Chris Pittaro.

As for Lamont, the Red Sox wanting to interview the baseball lifer isn't a huge surprise, if you look at his background. Lamont does have plenty of big league managerial experience, piloting the White Sox from 1992-95, leading them to the playoffs in 1993. He then took over the Pirates from 1997–2000, only to be replaced by...Lloyd McClendon.

Small world, isn't it?

To make an educated guess, this is much ado about nothing. I don't think the Red Sox would hire a coach Boston fans would feel is one, a retread member of the good ol' boy network, and two, not big enough of a name. Talking to Lamont is the Red Sox doing their due diligence, nothing more.

Not to worry, Lamont fans. I'm sure he will be back on the Tigers' bench next season, hanging out with Leyland, and getting runners thrown out at the plate.

After months of weekly Detroit Tigers talk, and 23 episodes, the Bless You Boys Podcast is ready to take a short hiatus. The BYB Podcast will return later in the year. Heck, we may even be back next week if the Tigers pull the trigger on a deal!

But the plan is to produce a shorter show whenever news warrants, such as for free agency, trades, and the winter meetings. We'll then return to a longer, weekly format in the spring.

So this being the final show for what could be a least a few weeks, we wanted to make sure the last regularly scheduled episode of the 2011 season was fully populated with editors. We were ultimately missing one, but made do.

Bless You Boys Podcast 23 has a run time of 1:14, and features managing editor Kurt Mensching, deputy editors Rob Rogacki, Allison Hagen, and Matt Wallace, along with your host, deputy editor Al Beaton.

Topics discussed included:

• Post playoff hangovers, who's got one?
• Who's watching the World Series?
• Tony LaRussa is a...he is...what the...Honestly, we don't have an explanation for his World Series game 5 shenanigans.
• Dave Dombrowski, MLB Commissioner?
• Most memorable moment of 2011.
• Most forgettable moment of 2011.
  
• We name our players of the year!
  
• Possible off season strategies, will it involve trades or free agency?
• Which player(s) could be trade bait?
• Listener questions were all over the place, including: Injury updates, Granderson trade winners and...winners, stop second guessing Jim Leyland, to tender or non-tender Delmon Young, middle relief, 2012 payroll and we hear rumors about chicken and beer.
  

Final thoughts: Thank yous all around, it's a podcast love-fest!

In this episode, the number of times Brandon Inge was mentioned is...well, just once. We won't ever have a BYB Podcast without Binge....though there are times when we wouldn't mind it.

We LOVE to hear from you. If you would like to have your question on next week's podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

Your ever vigilant BYB staff is going to record the latest episode of the Bless You Boys Podcast tonight. As is the norm, we want to include your questions in the show.

But first, a state of the podcast address.

Year 1 of the BYB Podcast has been a roaring success, much in thanks to your participation...and the fact many of you actually download and listen helps, too.

But with the MLB season on the verge of coming to an end (as soon as Tony LaRussa makes another 12 pitching changes), tonight's recording session will be our final regularly scheduled show for 2011

We've made an executive decision, and will step back from doing a weekly podcast during the off season. If we continue recording weekly, the fear is we’ll just spend the winter rehashing the same topics over and over (Who is going to play 2nd and 3rd base? Who will the Tigers sign in free agency? What's your thoughts on my trade proposal? Why is Jim Leyland/Gene Lamont/Dave Dombrowski a dunderhead?). That will be boring for everyone, both editors and listeners.

So the plan is to produce a show whenever news warrants, such as for free agency, trades, and the winter meetings. If Dave Dombrowski's history tells us anything, podcasts should be released once a month or so until spring training. Then we'll start cranking up the recorder to full speed.

With that out of the way...question time!

Remember, there are several ways to submit a question to the BYB Podcast.

The easiest way to get involved is to leave your question in the comments of this post.

You can email your question to: BYBPodcast at Gmail.com. Please mention your BYB handle in your message so the community knows who to blame!

Aren't registered to comment at BYB? Even though you should be, you can still reach us on Twitter, where the all the cool kids are trying to decode Tony  LaRussa's calls to the bullpen! You can send us your question as an @ reply to our Twitter account, @BlessYouBoys.

Aren't on Twitter? Like everyone else in the universe, we're on Facebook too!

We'll do our best to get to as many of your questions as humanly possible.

We very much appreciate your help, and thanks again!

The ALCS takes a break, giving the staff of Bless You Boys time to crank out our 22nd podcast. And we finally have other editors joining Al and Kurt to talk about the Tigers- Rangers ALCS. 4 talking heads are better than 2!

Bless You Boys Podcast 22 runs 1:12 and features managing editor Kurt Mensching, deputy editor Rob Rogacki, and your host, deputy editor Al Beaton. Everyone's favorite pontificating run differential zealot, David Tokarz, joins the podcast about 30 minutes into the show.

Topics discussed included:

• How are the editors holding up after another stressful series?
  
• Did Joe Posanski throw Justin Verlander under the bus in his media takedown?
• Miguel Cabrera's double off 3rd base, just plain lucky or bounces evening out?
• Injuries are not an excuse, they are a fact.
• Tigers' starters are out pitching the Rangers' starters...but the Tigers are down 3-2.
• Grading Jim Leyland's post season.
• Name your Tigers' ALCS MVP  through 5 games. The 3rd base bag gets a vote.
• Listener questions ran the gamut: Odds of winning the ALCS, lineup black holes, channeling your inner Mlive.com commenter to point fingers, Ryan Raburn, fearing Nelson Cruz, Austin Jackson's struggles, the Cruz - Verlander "staredown", the Tigers' bullpen playing in an NL park, a eulogy for Magglio Ordonez and JonMoz contributes another lightning round!
  

In case you were wondering, we managed to get in several mentions of Brandon Inge. We won't ever have a BYB Podcast without Binge.

Final thoughts: David likes him some Dave Dombrowski, Rob welcomes newcomers, Kurt is damn hungry, and Al doesn't miss TBS.

We LOVE to hear from you. If you would like to have your question on next week's podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

Today's a badly needed and much appreciated off day in the Tigers - Rangers ALCS. The editorial staff wants to take advantage of the break in action to knock out this week's Bless You Boys Podcast. It's not as if there's much to talk about, right?

Though we won't be struggling for topics to discuss, we still need you help in putting together a podcast. Which is another way of saying, it's question time!

So you know what to do! Fire off your questions, and we'll do our damnedest to answer them in the podcast.

We do have one request. Please do your best to keep your questions on topic, specifically to the ALCS, World Series and the MLB playoffs in general. We know you love to talk about possible off season moves. So do we.  But we'll have all kinds of time to cover the Tigers' strategy for 2012 after the playoffs end....which we hope won't be for a few more weeks.

Remember, there are several ways to submit a question to the BYB Podcast.

You can email your question to: BYBPodcast at Gmail.com. Please mention your BYB handle in your message so the community knows who to blame!

Don't want to mess with email? The easiest way to get involved is to leave your question in the comments of this post.

Aren't registered to comment at BYB? Even though you should be, you can still reach us on Twitter, where the all the cool kids are making fun of Tim McCarver! Send us your question as an @ reply to our Twitter account, @BlessYouBoys.

Aren't on Twitter? Like everyone else in the universe, we're on Facebook too!

We'll do our best to get to as many of your questions as humanly possible. Your questions are a big reason why the BYB Podcast has been so successful! We very much appreciate your help!

Twitter is buzzing with quotes from Jim Leyalnd's pregame presser, mostly due to his being pretty damn honest about the Tigers' back against the wall situation.

ESPN's Buster Olney:

Leyland said last night that Valverde and Benoit were working on heart and fumes...and today, he says they won't pitch.

After heavily leaning on Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit the last couple of games, I don't think any of us are surprised they are out of commission.

With the back end of the pen toast, the Tigers expect (and for that matter, absolutely need), Justin Verlander to go deep into the game.

Fox Sports Detroit:

"Going to try to get through this game with Verlander and Coke."

Again, I don't think any of us are surprised. It's not as if Verlander hasn't had to bail out a burned out bullpen in the past.

What about the rest of the bullpen?

Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press:

Everybody else available? "I hope so."

I'm not sure if I'm exactly thrilled by this news.

Leyland also hinted Alex Avila is getting by on guts, gumption and not much more.

Mlive's James Schmehl:

Leyland on Avila: He's hurtin' pretty good. Probably some of the wear and tear after I played him too much in the regular season.

I wince every time I see Avila try to run.  At least Leyland has finally admitted 132 games (141 total) is too much for any catcher, even one as young as Avila. Think finding a true backup catcher is high on the Tigers' off season to-do list?

Leyland also had this to say about his badly banged up team.

Again, Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press:

"Believe me, I know what these guys are going through. I've been in the trainer's room."

The Tigers' roster has been decimated by injuries. Brennan Boesch, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez are out for the season. Victor Martinez, Delmon Young and Alex Avila are attempting to play through injuries which would likely have them on the DL in the regular season.

On Twitter, own Allison said what we are all thinking.

@NoRunSupport:

The quotes from the Leyland presser are making me feel ill.

But all is not lost...at least in the Tigers' locker room.

Once again, Mowery of the Oakland Press:

Leyland: "With the travel we've been thru, the stress, the strain .. and the way these guys are battling, I expect to win this game today."

So there's that going for the Tigers...which is good.

The one day of downtime between series allowed us to recover just enough to put together an ALDS review/ALCS preview/TBS bitchfest, otherwise known as the Bless You Boys Podcast!

A skeleton crew recorded BYB Podcast 21, with a  run time of 1:06. This week the podcast features managing editor Kurt Mensching and your host, deputy editor Al Beaton.

Topics discussed included:

• TBS is either awful or incompetent. Actually, they're both.
• What an emotionally draining series!
• There was too much love for Curtis Granderson.
• Did the Yankees' Joe Girardi panic? Was he out-managed by Jim Leyland?
• The Tigers' ALCS rotation.
• Are the Rangers a tougher matchup for the Tigers than the Yankees?
• There will be no changes in the Tigers' everyday lineup in the ALCS!
  
• Are you as tired of the "Beat down, underdog city of Detroit's spirit is raised by their sports teams" narrative as I am?
• Listener questions included rain delays, our ALDS MVP, Max Scherzer praise, stepping up in the next round, fearing Alexi Ogando, Al Alburquerque, lineup changes, the bullpen as a whole, we pick our NL favorite, and the return of the the lightning round!

And yes, we managed to squeeze in a mention or two of Brandon Inge. It's not a BYB Podcast without Binge.

Final thoughts: Kurt and Al shower the BYB community with praise!

We LOVE to hear from you. If you would like to have your question on next week's podcast, please email us at BYBPodcast at Gmail.com.

Click to directly download the MP3, or listen via the streaming version posted below.

The BYB podcast is available on iTunes!

Click here for the podcast RSS feed.

UPDATE: Per Beck, Scherzer is now starting Game 2. Porcello will start Game 4 in Detroit.

Via Jason Beck's Twitter:

Change to Tigers rotation just announced: Scherzer will pitch Gm 2, Porcello Gm 4.

Translation: Scherzer was cleared to start on 2 days' rest after his relief appearance last night. Makes huge difference in series.

The Tigers must have been as uncomfortable with Porcello starting 2 games in Texas as the rest of us. I agree with Beck, this may be a series changing decision.

The Tigers starters for the ALCS will now go in this order::  Verlander starts games 1 and 5, Scherzer goes in games 2 and 6, Fister has games 3 and 7, Porcello gets just 1 start, game 4.

Now moot original post:

Via ESPN Dallas/Ft. Worth:

Derek Holland will start Game 2 for the Texas Rangers, manager Ron Washington confirmed. C.J. Wilson is starting Game 1 Saturday night in Arlington.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that Justin Verlander will start Game 1 with Rick Porcello going up against Holland in Game 2. Doug Fister will pitch Game 3 and Max Scherzer in Game 4.

Leyland's plan is to pitch Verlander again in Game 5 and have Porcello and then Fister for Games 6 and 7.

As Leyland is going with his 4 man playoff rotation, this news is what we expected.

Only 1 start for Scherzer, which isn't surprising after he was used in relief against the Yankees.  I'm not going to complain about 4 starts between Verlander and Fister. Though Porcello starting on the road twice is a little disconcerting.

Thoughts?

The schedule for the upcoming Tigers-Rangers ALCS has been released, via the Dallas Morning News. All times eastern:

Game 1:  DET @ TEX    Saturday, October 8    FOX    7:30
Game 2:  DET @ TEX    Sunday, October 9    FOX    7:00
Game 3:  TEX @ DET    Tuesday, October 11    FOX    7:30
Game 4:  TEX @ DET    Wednesday, October 12    FOX    4:00
Game 5:  TEX @ DET*    Thursday, October 13    FOX    4:00
Game 6:  DET @ TEX*    Saturday, October 15    FOX    7:30
Game 7:  DET @ TEX*    Sunday, October 16    FOX    8:00

Instead of the newer 2-2-1-1-1 format, the 7 game ALCS is an old school 2-3-2. Which could work out in the Tigers' favor if they can can get a W on the board in games 1 and/or 2.

But the afternoon start times mid-week? I can see that causing some issues for Tigers fans. Looking at the mid-week game times, the ALCS will not be considered  MLB's glamor series for TV purposes, especially if the Phillies move on tonight.

In case you've been wondering, we've been keeping the Bless You Boys Podcast on hold, waiting for the ALDS to come to an end.

After game 4, we made an executive decision.  If the Tigers won, we'd knock out a podcast before the ALCS. If they lost, we'd wait a few days, as some perspective would have been badly needed before talking about such an emotional series.

The Tigers won, the podcast is a go, we'll be recording later this afternoon, and we need your questions.

Remember, there are several ways to submit a question to the BYB Podcast.

You can email your question to: BYBPodcast at Gmail.com. Please mention your BYB handle in your message, so we know exactly who to blame!

Don't want to mess with email? The easiest way to get involved is to leave your question in the comments of this post.

Aren't registered to comment? Even though you should be, you can still reach us on that new fangled technology called Twitter, where the all the cool kids are making fun of A-Rod! Send your question as an @ reply to our Twitter account, @BlessYouBoys.

Aren't on Twitter? Like everyone else on the planet, we're on Facebook too!

We'll do our best to get to as many of your questions as humanly possible. Your questions are a big reason why the BYB Podcast has been so successful! We very much appreciate your help!

One request. Please try to keep your questions to the ALDS, the upcoming ALCS and the MLB playoffs in general. We'll have plenty of time to talk moves for the off season and 2012 in the off season and 2012!

That thing called breathing? Feel free to start again...

BOX

KEY STAT A

Both from the Official Tigers Twitter, both quite surprising:

The back-to-back home runs mark the first time the Tigers have hit back-to-back home runs in a postseason game!

Delmon Young's three home runs during this series mark the most ever by a Tigers player in a single post-season series.

Young continues his campaign to win Dave Dombrowski MLB's Executive of the Year award.

KEY STAT B

The Tigers are only the 3rd team to beat the Yankees in 2 straight post season series.

Being Yankee Killers feels damn good, doesn't it?

KEY PLAY A

Don Kelly and Delmon Young with back-to-back jacks in the top of the 1st inning. The Tigers had to get off to a fast start, and the number 2 and 3 hitters came through in a big, big way.

KEY PLAY B

Doug Fister pitches out of 1 out, bases loaded jam in 4th by inducing pop outs from Russell Martin and Brett Gardner. This was HUGE.

KEY PLAY C

Alex Rodriguez striking out with the bases loaded in the 7th and as the final out in the 9th. Seeing A-Rod flail away while the boos rain down...good times, good times.

KEY INJURY

Young took the field for the bottom of the 7th...then had to leave the game, clutching his left side. Jason Beck reports it was a mild left oblique strain, suffering the injury during his at bat in the previous half inning. Ryan Raburn took his place for the last 2 innings.

KEY THOUGHTS

TBS made the Tigers deciding not to use Justin Verlander in relief tonight to be their death knell during the pre-game. Doug Fister's performance made the entire silly discussion moot. (FYI: We will not be subjected to the awful TBS broadcast from here on out, as FOX will cover the ALCS) Fister was clutch, pitching out of a couple of jams, and ultimately held the heavy hitting Yankees lineup in check.

Fister's final, winning line: 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO. I'll take that from my starter in a road elimination game.

Fister was gassed after 5, so we saw Max Scherzer come out of the pen in the 6th. Not Verlander, as the media wanted, but not exactly chopped liver, either.

Scherzer cruised thru an uneventful 6th, but was pulled with 1 out in the 7th after Derek Jeter's infield single...a play Brandon Inge, who had entered the game at 3rd base as a defensive replacement, was more than a little hesitant. Instead of cutting off Jeter's roller, he let it go thru to Jhonny Peralta, a much tougher play. It was more than enough time to allow God's gift to the NYC media to beat it out.

Then came the luckiest 1 run rally you'll ever see. Joaquin Benoit replaced Scherzer. Joe Girardi bitched about a band-aid on Benoit's face. Umps made Benoit remove it. Bandage-gate!

With Girardi's BS mind games out of the way, Curtis Granderson blooped a single to right, for some reason Jeter stopped at 2nd. Robinson Cano squibbed a grounder under Benoit's glove (Benoit was looking to make a play before he actually had the ball.), loading the bases. After Rodriguez came thru in the clutch became the 2nd out on a swinging K, Benoit walked Mark Teixeira, forcing in Jeter. A  Nick Swisher strike out got the Tigers out of the inning with as little damage as possible. But damn, there was far too much self-inflicted drama.

There was more drama in the 8th. Jeter just missed a 2 run home run, Kelly flagged his fly ball down just short of the right field porch,. But remember, the same ball is a can of corn in a stadium not the size of the Little League field in Williamsport...like, lets say, Comerica Park.

But there was to be no drama from Jose Valverde. After trying kill us by allowing base runners galore in 2 previeous appearances, the Big Potato sent the middle of the Yankees' vaunted lineup packing. Papa Grande induced Granderson to pop up to left, Cano went down on a broken bat fly to center, and of course, A-Rod flailed helplessly at a 94 MPH fastball to end the game.

And with the final out, TBS' Yankees narrative went down in flames.

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The only series that matters takes the day off, being today was a scheduled travel day for the Tigers and Yankees.

But there's win or go home action in the NL tonight, starting at 6:07 eastern in St. Louis. As always, we give you a thread to talk about the evening's action.

Roy Oswalt gets the start for the Phillies, while Tigers ex-pat Edwin Jackson takes the mound for the Cardinals. The favored Phils lead the series 2-1 and will try to close out the Cards on the road.

The nightcap has the 1st pitch scheduled for 9:37 EDT. The pitching matchup is Randy Wolf for the Brew Crew, Joe Saunders for Gibby's D-backs. The D-backs staved off elimination last night, and hope to even the series at home.

Enjoy some stress free baseball tonight!

It's a much needed off day for both the Tigers, and an angst filled fanbase. It's been a roller-coaster ride following the Tigers this past week, with extreme highs (Justin Verlander mowing down Yankees in game 3) and bottom of the barrel lows (Last night's 8th inning). And Tigers fans were at an emotional low ebb after Tuesday night's blowout loss. 

But it's a 5 game series in the ALDS, and it takes 3 win to end it. This series is not fait accompli just because it's headed back to New York. The Tigers have proven they can win in the Bronx bandbox called Yankee Stadium. (I swear Miguel Cabrera would hit 60 bombs there...good thing he's a Tiger). Just look back at game 2. So we know it can be done.

I think a Doug Fister - Ivan Nova matchup favors the Tigers. Fister is a veteran who was the best pitcher in baseball over the last 2 months of the season. Nova is solid, but he remains a rookie who has greatly benefited pitching for a loaded offensive lineup. With a game under their belt against Nova, the Tigers know what's coming.

Sure, it would help if Alex Avila and Austin Jackson would start hitting, Al Alburquerque would channel his regular season self and the Tigers would get the bottom of the Yankees' order out. But the series remains very, very winnable, no question about it.

Though it might be a little easier if Jim Leyland would bust out his best lineup...which is always open to interpretation.

In the comments of my last post, Honeyman tosses out his preferred game 5 lineup:

CF Austin Jackson
2B Ramon Santiago
LF Delmon Young
1B Miguel Cabrera
DH Victor Martinez
RF Magglio Ordonez
SS Jhonny Peralta
C Alex Avila
3B Brandon Inge

Personally, I don't see much wrong with this batting order. Though it would not bother me to see Ryan Raburn's bat in a lineup that could use the extra firepower.

So here's your chance to discuss the Tigers' game 5 lineup and batting order. Are you happy with Leyland's moves to this point? Has Raburn been under used? Can Inge continue to hit? Will Avila start hitting? Why does Don Kelly stay in the starting lineup?

Feel free to chime in with your lineup in the comments...and commiserate with other angsty Tigers fans.

Jest:  "Too Much Moneyball." - Best web spoof ever? For baseball fans and Evil Empire haters everywhere, it just might be.

"I believe there are ways to spend money you aren't even thinking about. Overpay hometown heroes. Cherry pick the top free agents. Sign a reliever for 3 years...then blow out his arm after 1. Sign 8 starting pitchers. Post obscene amounts for unproven foreign players..."

Designate Robertson: Game Four: Keeping Score - Rogo with a painful, yet damn funny, running diary.

Today on "SportsNation", Colin Cowherd said that if the Yankees lose tonight, it will be bad for baseball.  Colin Cowherd needs to be given a flesh-eating-bacteria enema.

Motor City Bengals: It Wasn’t Pretty, but it’s Not Over Yet - MCB being a voice of reason in a wilderness of panic.

The Tigers have to head back to New York and shock the world.  They’re heading back to New York to face a talented rookie pitcher with both teams season on the line.  I know Ivan Nova is good and dominated the Tigers in Game Two, but he is a rookie pitcher going in an elimination game.  He’ll be facing some of the best hitters in the game who haven’t even totally heated up yet in this series.

Roar of the Tigers: What to do in the ALDS - Yes, this post is about game 3, but it's a must read for Samara's 4 self-portraits of her watching the game.

TAKE THAT YANKEES ON BEHALF OF MY TWINKIE SERVICE.

Big League Stew: Two-timer: Granderson dazes Detroit with a pair of unreal catches - Remember folks, Curtis Granderson is no longer your Tiger. He is the enemy! THE ENEMY.

But here's how big his effort was in Tuesday's win: By the time he came up to bat in the eighth inning, you could hear four or five people booing in the stands. In a town where his name is still golden, the scattered jeers qualified as a deafening roar.

Detroit Free Press: Michael Rosenberg: Granderson induces such sweet sorrow - Please. Stop it. I can hate Granderson if I want to!

You can hate the Yankees, and you can even hate New York, but you can't hate Curtis Granderson. It's impossible. It would be like hating sunshine or vacation.

Detroit News: Wojo: On electric night, Tigers denied by Grand theft - Enough Granderson already!

Nice guy, that Granderson. But what he did to his former team was positively ruthless.

More linkage after the jump...

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Before you do anything else, inhale, then exhale. Great! You've started breathing again...

BOX

KEY STAT

CC Sabathia's shortest outing this season: 5 2/3 innings. Tonight, the Tigers knocked Sabathia out of the box after 106 pitches, 4 ER and only 5 1/3 IP.

Verlander wins the battle of aces.

KEY PLAY

This just in: Delmon Young loves to swing at the first pitch. LOVES THEM.

With the Tigers reeling from the Yankees' 2 run rally in the top of the 7th inning, Young's free swinging ways paid off in the bottom of the inning. Young jumped all over a Rafael Soriano fastball, dumping it over the right field wall for the winning run. (MLB video here)

It was his 2nd home run of the ALDS, as Young (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB) continues his campaign to win Dave Dombrowski MLB's Executive of the Year award.

KEY THOUGHTS

Odd game for Justin Verlander.  In fact, Verlander was THE story of the game. As he went, so went the Tigers.

In the 1st inning, just like early on in Friday's suspended game 1, he looked overly amped, throwing big time heat. Derek Jeter bounced a single to center. Curtis Granderson then drilled a high fastball to the deep reaches of right center field for an RBI triple. Granderson scored on a ground out and the Tigers found themselves in an unexpected 2-0 hole.

But after a rough start, it was the Cy Young lock-MVP candidate version of Verlander on the mound.

In the 5th inning, he was inhuman. (Click here for MLB video of Verlander's night, the 5th starts at 0:45 in)

I think wepri31 speaks for us all after Verlander's incredible, 10 pitch, 3 K, 5th inning:

holy hot damn.

cold showers for everyone!

Yahoo's Jeff Passan was flabbergasted as well:

I've been covering baseball for eight years now, and I'm not sure I've seen a more dominant inning than the one Justin Verlander just threw.

That's the inning the M-V-P chants started, and they continued anytime Verlander had 2 strikes on a Yankee...but then came the 7th.

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