It’s triple match point day in Cincinnati and Oakland as the Reds and Tigers try to eliminate the Giants and Athletics. Homer Bailey and Ryan Vogelsong battle in game one on the Ohio River. Bailey comes off an impressive end to his season, pitching a no-hitter in his penultimate start, then pitching four shutout innings against the Cardinals in his finale. He only made one bad start in his September/Oct stretch, allowing five runs to the Dodgers. Even with that, he allowed 14 runs in 48 2/3 innings, walking nine and striking out 48. Vogelsong finished poorly, with ERAs over six in both August and September. That still wasn’t enough to eject him from the rotation in favor of Tim Lincecum. Vogelsong struck out a lot of batters, but also gave up a high number of hits in that time frame, suggesting his defense wasn’t very good behind him.

The Tigers send Miami import Anibal Sanchez against Brett Anderson of the A’s. Sanchez cut down his walks after he joined the Tigers, and that helped him to a slightly lower ERA than he had with the Marlins, despite facing a designated hitter. Anderson made just six starts during the season due to injury. He didn’t get into a game until August, then had to be shutdown at the end of September due to an oblique injury. He pitched extremely well in his 35 innings, walking seven and striking out 25. That includes a 1.38 ERA in two starts at home.

Enjoy!