Let’s give you one more MLB Postseason press release and this is the quotage from last night’s coverage of Game 5 of the American League Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees that was won by Detroit in a 3-2 nailbiter.
Here’s the quotage for you.
Notes from MLB Postseason on TBS – October 6, 2011
The MLB Postseason continues on TBS today beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET with TBS MLB on Deck followed the Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers, (Game 5 – 5 p.m. ET) and St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies, (Game 5 – 8:30 p.m. ET). The night will conclude with the post-game show Inside MLB.
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TBS MLB on Deck
Matt Winer (host) and Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells (analysts)Eckersley on the pressure he pitched under: “When I pitched in the 9th inning, I felt like it was an elimination game every night.”
Wells on playing in the Postseason: “When you’re on this big of a stage, a lot of things can go wrong really quick.”
Eckersley on Tigers ace Justin Verlander not being available to pitch in Game 5: “He could’ve (pitched tonight), I mean, why not? I don’t really agree with it but this guy is their man. They are worried about him long-term. At the same time, do you panic? Is it a panic move to have him pitch? They said it a long time ago and they’ve stuck to their guns. They haven’t changed about putting him in.”
Wells: “This could be the last game of the season and you’ve got to go with the whole arsenal. Those 57 pitches (Verlander threw pre-game) could’ve been applied to the game. Don’t waste your bullets.”
Ripken: “It almost feels to me (they are saying), ‘Should Justin Verlander pitch every game? Let’s just wear him out and push him out there.’ You have to rely on the whole team and I like what (Tigers’ manager Jim) Leyland is doing here. He’s staying strong and saying, ‘No, we’re not going to use him here. We’re going to rely on the whole team to help us get there.’ If they do, they’ll have Verlander for Game 1 (of the ALCS).”
TBS’ reporter Tom Verducci interviewed Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter prior to the game
Jeter on if elimination games have a different feel in the Postseason: “They are all the same. If you have the same approach for every game – like it’s a must-win situation – then nothing changes going into this situation.”Ripken on the slumping Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira of the Yankees: “When these two guys don’t perform, they are always going to make a big deal out of it and I think wrongfully so. They’ve gotten big hits in big games before…we know they can play but they haven’t done it so far.”
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Detroit Tigers (3) @ New York Yankees (2) – The Tigers win the series 3-2 and advance to the ALCS
Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Ron Darling and John Smoltz (analysts) with Tom Verducci reportingDarling on Yankees rookie starting pitcher Ivan Nova giving up back-to-back home runs in the first inning: “I don’t care if you’re a 10-year veteran or a rookie, giving up back-to-back home runs has to shake you to your core.”
Smoltz on Tigers Game 5 starting pitcher Doug Fister: “What you’re not going to see are three pitches in the same spot. He has a really good feel for the game…He really works the zone and keeps the hitters guessing.”
Smoltz on pitching in elimination games: “Game Fives are great for everyone except the pitchers.”
Smoltz on the Yankees’ patience in the Postseason: “The reason why this series is so intriguing is the relentless Yankees and their patience because they’ve been there, done that so many times. You’ve got the young players on the Tigers who are there for the first time and that tension causes you to be a little too aggressive. The Yankees have struggled offensively up until the last game and there’s no panic. They just know how to be in this moment.”
Smoltz on Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes: “He was a big key this year for the Yankees. It didn’t go the way he or the Yankees wanted it. He’s a solid pitcher that hasn’t found what he’s really capable of doing. It’s really important in the future of the Yankees to get Hughes back in their rotation.”
Darling on how relievers can give his team a lift: “There are a lot of things that can get your team going. A fine defensive play, getting some hits or a reliever coming in and shutting down the opposition can also give your team a lift.”
Smoltz on the solid communication between Tigers catcher Alex Avila and the pitching staff: “(Avila is) on the same page with a lot of his starters. Doesn’t seem like there has been a game with a lot of shake-offs. He’s really commanding and understanding of what his pitchers want to do. He’s finding the best pitch in the right situation…it helps the pitcher’s rhythm.”
TBS’ Brian Anderson, Ron Darling and John Smoltz interviewed Yankees manager Joe Girardi during the game:
Girardi on having to take starting pitcher Ivan Nova out of the game after two innings: “Nova tightened up a little bit so that’s why we had to take him out. Now it’s a bullpen game and our guys are going to have to shut them down. So far, so good. We’ve had some opportunities and now we have to capitalize on them.”Smoltz on the Tigers’ game plan against the Yankees: “The Tigers came into this series with a game plan. You’ve got to push the hitters back and you’ve got to make them move a little bit. Their (pitching) staff has done a good job of maintaining that game plan. You don’t always make the perfect pitch but you put them on notice that this is how we are going to try to get you out.”
TBS’ reporter Tom Verducci interviewed Tigers outfielder Don Kelly following the game:
Kelly on his lead-off home run in the first inning: “The crowd was into it at the beginning and it was good to get on the board. Delmon (Young) followed it up with back-to-back home runs. It’s big to get out in front early here.”***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Inside MLB
Matt Winer (host) and Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells (analysts)Eckersley on Game 5 of the Tigers/Yankees series: “That was one of the most exciting games. It really was. I was holding my breath. I couldn’t imagine being a Yankee fan and watching those two bases loaded situations. That is as good as playoff baseball gets…. in the fifth game, deciding game. Great game.”
Wells on Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister: “He had his game on tonight. He challenged the guys and went right at them. He had Derek (Jeter) chasing them. That’s what good pitching does.”
Eckersley on the pitching in the Playoffs: “This is why you watch Major League Baseball postseason. One pitch changes everything.”
Eckersley on Tigers closer Jose Valverde: “This guy is a big reason they are there. This game was so exciting, especially in Yankee Stadium. It was just an exciting game. Great relief pitching.”
TBS Reporter Sam Ryan interviews Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun
Braun on the mood of the team going into Game 5: “I think it is the same as it was when we came in here. We still feel good about ourselves. Obviously, we would have loved to finish the series here (in Arizona). There is a reason we worked hard to get home field advantage at least in the first round. We like our chances in Game 5.”Braun at playing Game 5 at Miller Park in Milwaukee: “It is a huge advantage like we said all along. That’s why we work so hard all year. We recognize the importance of getting home field and we know how well we play at home. I’m sure it would be a great atmosphere. That’s what it should be about. It is fun this time of year.”
Eckersley on the Game 5 match-up on the mound between Cardinals Chris Carpenter and Phillies Roy Halladay: “This is an exciting game. That is a great match-up. Those guys are identical pitchers. They make the ball move all over the place and they are great competitors. This is a marquee match-up.”
Wells on what he’s looking for between Carpenter and Halladay: “Just a good pitching duel. That’s what those guys are there for. They are both rested, both feel good and they both have their game plan. I think for them going in there it is just a matter of who makes the first mistake and hopefully the other guy capitalizes on it.”
Ripken on the Brewers’ strength at home: “Arizona at Milwaukee…The important thing is at Milwaukee. Both those teams have played really well at home. Milwaukee seems to be a different club in their own ballpark. The advantage has to go to Milwaukee.”
TBS Reporter Tom Verducci interviews manager Joe Girardi following the game
Girardi on what the first round loss means to the Yankee organization: “It is hard. It is very disappointing for all of us. I’m extremely pleased with how well the guys played all year long and in this series. When this series first started, I said when this game started someone was going to be extremely disappointed after three or four hours and it was us. We were one hit away and it hurts.”Eckersley on what the Yankees did wrong this season: “I think a lot of things went right for the Yankees. They swung the bats good all year. Their ERA was as good as they have had in 30 years. What they need is a starting pitcher. Now they need a catcher too. I think they are going to want another bat. I don’t think (Jorge) Posada is going to be there anymore. Who knows? They are going to do what they have to do and I think it starts with a starting pitcher.”
Wells on the Yankees’ postseason performance: “They have the pitching in their organization. They just need to hit a little better in the Postseason. They weren’t on all cylinders. Sometimes they were hit or miss. Now they need to get on all cylinders and they have all off-season to work on it. Next year might be another story. They’ll be right back in it.”
And that will finish up our MLB Postseason press releases for now.
