The Detroit Tigers’ Five Biggest Plays of the ALDS

Oct 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer reacts after getting out of a bases loaded situation in the 8th inning of game four of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#5 – Game 4: Alberto Callaspo lines out to center field.

SPA: 8.8%

Alberto Callaspo lines out to center field. Such an innocuous description for a play that ended a sequence of events that will go down in the annals of Detroit Tigers postseason lore. Max Scherzer, protecting a one-run lead, loaded the bases with nobody out and proceeded to get out of the inning without allow a run to score. The Josh Reddick strikeout (#8), the Stephen Vogt strikeout (#6), and the Callaspo lineout (#5) were each a top-eight event according to WPA (with the Callaspo lineout completely killing the threat).

Viewing the sequence as a comined event would have given it the top mark in the series. From the moment Reddick stepped to the moment Callaspo’s drive landed in Austin Jackson’s glove, Oakland’s chance of winning the series had dropped by a total of 24.5%.