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I was [un]fortunate enough to be at Game 5 in St Louis, to date my only Tigers World Series game. So many things about that game: future Tiger ace Juston Verlander facing off against ersatz Tiger “ace” Jeff Weaver; yet another error pitcher leading to runs; losing the series on a Brandon Inge strikeout with the tying run on first; freezing my ass off all game like it was April at Wrigley Field; descending the stands to leave the stadium right after the last out while everyone else stayed in the stands to celebrate, all the while them smarmily patronizing me and my brother on the way down. Just a miserable but memorable experience. A couple other things I’m reminded of as I review the box score again: Sean Casey was our one-man wrecking crew that game. Easy to forget when you lose the Series that day—had I remembered I would have brought it up to him when I met him a few years ago. And current Methuselah Adam Wainwright picked up the save.

I can see why that is. There’s been a century-long campaign in the south to demonize unions (and union workers) among the local rank-and-file, and it’s been very successful because they figured out how to tap into the region’s cultural identity to make that happen.

This team is playing .600 ball over the past 20 games.

Holy Toledo, what a gutsy effort tonight by both Englert and Lange, and after giving up a leadoff double he strikes out the side. Just amazing.

We got another low strike call break, but let’s face it, this Junior guy is just **** behind the plate.

Wow made Arenado wave at strike three in the dirt. Nasty.

Wow, the umpire had to think about strike two!

Man, Lange carved up Willson pretty good there.

Haase with a four-time rookie strikeout there.

I’m now wondering whether they might have Vest start the ninth until he gives up a runner, then it has to be Lange. EDIT: On second thought, maybe Vest is warming up in case we get runs.

I get what Hinch was trying to do here. He had to get Cisnero and Englert into the game. Neither of them had pitched for six days. They have to get into a game at some point. Sure, it would be nice if we could wait until we’re blowing the other team the **** out before we have to burn those guys, but you don’t always get that perfect scenario, and you can’t have them never pitching in another close game ever again.

Looks like Lange is coming in for a third straight game. Probably not ideal, but Englert couldn’t get a quick out and start the ninth. Could really use some cushion runs here.

That was a great job by Englert after the walk. Left it all out there probably.

What a gutsy battle Englert engaged in there. Mad respect.

Hard to say on an individual basis. Body can be expected to be degrading at 34. Body is still building at 24.

This kid was never higher than high A until this year. Look what’s he’s being entrusted with now. A.J.’s gonna see if the boy can handle it.

That ground rule double actually saved a run. That’s it for Foley.

Giving Foley slack in the leash the get out of this.

I’d want to give him some chances if he were 24 instead of 34.

Beautiful double play!

Jose Cisnero gave up three singles to five batters and lowered his ERA from 3.72 to 3.48.

I predicted he was going to get booted this past winter. His walk rate was so awful and he got so lucky with his ERA.

That was a crucial pick by Baez on the single. That saved a run. Now we get an upgrade at pitcher.

That was a country fastball Cisnero got Edman out on. Come on, papi, one more …