Did Buck Showalter Predict the Final Play of the ALDS?

The Baltimore Orioles put away the Detroit Tigers, finishing off a three-game sweep in the ALDS Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. The final play of the game essentially summed up the series — the Tigers dumpster fire of a bullpen notwithstanding — quite well.

Down 2-0 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers opened the inning with back-to-back doubles from Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez to halve the Orioles’ lead. Detroit’s utter lack of a bench then reared its ugly head. Backup catch Bryan Holaday — in the game for a concussed Alex Avila — couldn’t get a bunt down to move Martinez to third. With one out, Orioles manager Buck Showalter called a meeting on the mound and had close Zach Britton walk nominal power threat Nick Castellanos — putting the go ahead run on first.

No matter. Coming up next was light-hitting Andrew Romine (.227/.279/.275). The best Brad Ausmus could do was pinch hit with 23-year-old Hernan Perez, he of five at bats during the regular season. Perez promptly grounded into a series-ending double play.

According to The Washington Post‘s Dave Sheinin, Showalter predicted the whole thing during the meeting on the mound to call for the intentional walk:

"There were no questions asked — only orders given and statements made. “We’re going to walk this guy,” Buck Showalter said to the six Baltimore Orioles he had gathered on the Comerica Park pitcher’s mound in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series. “The next guy’s going to hit into a double play, and we’re gonna go home.” The whole thing was less a prediction than an edict."

As an dyed-in-the-wool Tigers fan, I’ll admit I’m more than a little jealous of the way Showalter has run the Orioles. Sure, the team lacks any big-name stars like Miguel Cabrera or David Price, but they certainly make up for it in depth and defense — damn you Ryan Flaherty. It certainly must be nice, too, following a team that gets steady production from shortstop, centerfield and catcher. Oh right, and one that has a bullpen that doesn’t make you want to refill your Xanax prescription on a daily basis.

From managerial strategy to on-field performance the Orioles were better in every way than the Tigers and fully deserved a 3-0 sweep.

Word of caution to Orioles fans, however: four-day lay-offs in October aren’t necessarily the best development. Trust me. At least the Royals are dealing with it too since the ALCS won’t begin until Friday.