Locked in a 1-1 series stalemate, the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics are expected to go all out in perhaps the most pivotal game of the best-of-five American League Division Series on Monday at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.
The A's successfully tied the series on Saturday behind the outstanding pitching of Sonny Gray over eight innings and a go-ahead RBI single by Stephen Vogt in the 9th inning.
On the other hand, Justin Verlander put up an impressive postseason debut by allowing just four hits and striking out 11 batters over seven impressive innings on the mound.
However, his efforts all came to waste after reserve pitcher Al Alburquerque allowed Vogt to pull off his first game-winning hit of his career.
"Knowing that we had worked together for so many innings throughout the year, we were talking before the game: 'Hey, it's just like this lineup is similar to a lineup in Triple-A,' " Vogt said right after the A's 1-0 win on Saturday.
Verlander, the former CY Young and MVP winner in 2011, also lauded the performance of the rookie pitcher.
"Obviously, he has a lot of angst and nerves, biggest game of his career," Verlander said of Gray according to ESPN. "Sonny did one heck of a job."
Pitching Matchup
In a virtual make-or-break game, the Athletics will be leaning on third-year hurler Jarrod Parker, who went 12-8 with a 3.97 ERA and 134 strikeouts in the regular-season. In what could be the biggest start of his career, Parker said pressure won't be a factor as he looks to shut down the Tigers' prolific batting unit.
"That's the goal every time out," Parker told ESPN. "I'm not going to go out and press and force and not be who I am."
Meanwhile, the Tigers will be fielding their No.3 hurler in Anibal Sanchez, whose 14-8 record with a 2.57 ERA would have made him a shoo-in ace pitcher for other teams.
"We knew we were getting a guy that was going to keep you in the game, but he's definitely been much better than I think anybody thought, as far as his consistency," Detroit catcher Alex Avila said of Sanchez according to ESPN.
Live Stream & Schedule
TV Schedule
You can catch Game 3 of ALDS between the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics on Monday at 1:07 p.m. EST on MLB Network.
Live Stream (video)
Live stream coverage can be seen on MLB.tv.
Live Stream (audio)
Live stream coverage can be heard MLB.com Gameday Audio.
Live Score
Live scores and game stats could be followed by clicking here
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