ALDS Game 1: Orioles vs. Tigers, Angles vs. Royals

2014 ALDS Game 1

Detroit Tigers @ Baltimore Orioles

Thursday, October 2, 2014, 5:37 ET

TV: TBS

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The Orioles are my preferred American League team among those that made the playoffs, and they've got home-field advantage for this series, but I suspect most viewers (myself included) view the Tigers as the favorite. It feels like Detroit has the better pitching, but Baltimore allowed 112 fewer runs. How? They play much better defense and have a much better bullpen. We'll see how much Max Scherzer allows those two things to factor into tonight's game.

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2014 ALDS Game 1

Kansas City Royals @ Los Angeles Angels

Thursday, October 2, 2014, 9:07 ET

TV: TBS

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Mike Trout makes his postseason debut. So does Jason Vargas, so that's a draw. One of those guys will likely be named AL MVP in a few weeks. The other one is named Jason. I'd called that a draw too.

Meanwhile, Vegas is no longer taking bets on how many bunts will laid down in this series.

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