Three Former Tigers Are Heading to the Championship Series

Former Auburn Pitcher, and current Los Angeles Dodger, Grant Dayton (Photo: Think Blue LA/Ron Cervenka)

When the Major League Baseball season ended on October 2nd, it had been declared that three former Auburn Tigers would be competing with their respective teams in the divisional round of the playoffs. When the dust settled early Friday morning in Washington, D.C., those three players were still standing. Last Sunday, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman, Josh Donaldson took a leap of faith in the bottom of the 10th inning in game three of the American League Divisional Series against the Texas Rangers, when he noticed that a bad throw from Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor, caused first baseman, Mitch Moreland to drop the baseball. Donaldson, who was standing at second base when the at-bat began, rounded third, and beat the throw at home plate, to give his team the decisive third game victory, 7-6. Two nights later, in San Francisco, California, David Ross got the start at catcher in game 4 of the National League Division Series for the Chicago Cubs. Ross would put the Cubs on the board in the third inning, with a solo home run to tie their game with the Giants at 1. He would also score a run on a sacrifice fly, and threw out an attempted base stealing opportunity by Denard Span of the Giants. His efforts would help the Cubs defeat the Giants, 6-5, and to advance to the Championship Series for the second season in a row. To complete the trifecta, Grant Dayton, and the Los Angeles Dodgers would need to win game 5 of their series against the Washington Nationals. In a relief effort Thursday night, Dayton did not record an out in the 7th inning, as he allowed a walk and two hits. One of those hits, being to pinch hitter Chris Heisey of the Nationals, who sent a long ball over the left field fence. The 2-run home run by Heisey cut the Dodgers lead down to 4-3. Lucky for Dayton, closer Kenley Jansen, and Clayton Kershaw, who made a rare relief appearance, held the lead for the Dodgers, who would go on to win, 4-3, and advance to the National League Championship Series. All three former Tigers who entered the MLB Postseason will move on to the Championship Series of their respective leagues. Unfortunately, there will not be a scenario where each of them will advance because Grant Dayton’s Dodgers will face David Ross’ Cubs in the National League Championship Series. The good news is that at least one of those former Tigers will compete in the World Series. Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays will begin the American League Championship Series with the Cleveland Indians tonight at 7 P.M. in Cleveland. The Cubs and Dodgers National League Championship Series begins tomorrow in Chicago, at 7 P.M.