MLB PLAYOFFS: THIS IS A TIGER TOWN

(Be honest. Is there ever a bad time to use a two-decade-old photo of Sparky Anderson and the Dead Milkmen?)

There's a lot of people waking up today as Detroit Tigers fans, including more than a few north of the border.

Yes, bandwagon syndrome is a terrible thing, and the Michiganders and those in southwestern Ontario who stuck it out through the lean years, especially the 100-loss seasons in 1989, '96, 2002 and '03, have every right to feel like their turf is being overrun by the Johnny-come-latelies. So be it.

Not to speak for all Blue Jays fans, especially those among us who think our guys could have a shot at giving the Yankees if we were in another division or if baseball changed the playoff format, but it's pretty easy getting on the Tigers bandwagon. It's got a nostalgia kick since Jays-Tigers was a real rivalry back in the '80s (what happened to us on the final weekend of the 1987 season is still a fresh wound). John Brattain, writing for Hardball Times, says in the Jays' absence from the post-season, the Tigers are an acceptable alternative, especially now that the Twins -- another "border" team with a pair of Canadians in the lineup -- have been swept by Oakland.

Plus, while we respect the Yankees, it's always great to see those smug elitists get rubbed in the dirt by some unheralded crew of scruffy underdogs.

The Tigers fit the part. Every know-nothing talk-radio host last night probably went on endlessly about how Kenny Rogers was garbage, how he's washed-up, and he threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings in the 6-0 Tigers win. Centre-fielder Curtis Granderson, who struck out more than any other American Leaguer in the regular season, has two homers and a triple.

A lot of casual fans (how I envy those who can remain casual fans, but that's neither here nor there) probably never heard of Granderson, who's in his first full season. At the risk of sounding like a know-it-all, yours truly mentioned him as an All-Star Game candidate back in May and early June. He was third on the Tigers with 20 Win Shares despite slumping badly in the second half.

As for the Tigers finishing it off today, in best-of-5 series, about 75% of the time the team who wins Game 3 after a split in the first two goes on to win. Yes, it could all go boom for the Tigers. If you believe in the law of averages, then it would stand to reason that the Yankees are due to bust out big-time after going 0-for-18 with runners on base last night. On Thursday, Tigers rookie Justin Verlander was probably lucky to get through five-plus innings with only three runs allowed.

Regardless, since the World Series prediction made here is shot, might as well cheer for the Tigers. The Mets seem to have a clear path through the National League, so anyone but the Yankees in the AL, right?

Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.