O's, Angels host AL division series

* CF Mike Trout is the headliner as both American League Division Series best-of-five sets get underway Thursday in Baltimore and in Anaheim.... 2014 Canadians in the Minors … Canadians in College 2015 Canadian draft list Letters of Intent

By Bob Elliott

American League division series

(Best of five)

Tigers (Tigers won five of six meetings) Team payroll: $163,635,500 million (5th) Octobers: Four World Series, 11 AL Pennants, 16 play-off appearances. Post-season record: 60-61. Last post season: Lost 2013 ALCS in six games to Boston. Manager: Brad Ausmus. Record: 90-72. Run differential: Plus 52.  Stud Hosses: Victor Martinez (32 HRs, 103 RBIs, .335, .974 OPS) passed Jose Bautista the final week to win the on-base title (.409). Theme: “We can win with The Rajai playing centre ... have you seen our starters?” Looking up: Miguel Cabrera (25 HRs, 109 RBIs, .313, .895 OPS), RHP Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15), LHP David Price (15-12, 3.26) and RHP Justin Verlander (15-12, 4.54). Looking down: Will Joe Nathan (5-4, 4.81, 35-for-42, 83% in save opportunities) be better than Francisco Rodney? Retired numbers: (Some names on Comerica Park walls from the pre-number era): Charlie Gehringer 2, Hank Greenberg 5, Al Kaline 6, Sparky Anderson 11, Hal Newhowser 16, Willie Horton 23, Jackie Robinson 42, plus Ty Cobb, Mickey Cochrane, Sam Crawford, Harry Heilmann, Hughie Jennings, George Kell and Heinie Manush. J factor: Rajai Davis. Canadian content: Amateur scout Murray Cook, a Sackville, N.B. native inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of fame in June, pro scout Tim Hallgren, whose father is from Victoria, B.C., which makes him WBC eligible. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and interest amongst the 10 post-season clubs): No. 1, a bridge/tunnel away from Windsor, loyalty from western Ontario, barely edges Pittsburgh. Bodog odds to win World Series: 6-1.

Orioles Team payroll: $107,466,653 (15th) Octobers: 3 World Series, 6 pennants, 12 post-season appearances Post-season record: 44-38. Last post season: Lost 2012 AL division series to New York Yankees. Manager: Buck Showalter. Record: 96-66. Run differential: Plus 112. Stud Hosses: DH Nelson Cruz (40 HRs, 108 RBIs, .271, .859 OPS)

and CF Adam Jones (29 HRs, 96 RBIs, .281, .780 OPS). Theme: “If we win do we play the Yankees, the Red Sox or face Marcus Stroman?” Looking up: Closer Zach Britton (3-2, 1.65, converted 37 of 41 save opportunities, 90%) and didn’t pick up his first save until May 15. Looking down: C Matt Weiters and 3B Manny Macho are done for the year, while 1B Chris Davis is wearing suspenders for violating major-league drug policy. Retired numbers: Earl Weaver (4), Brooks Robinson (5), Cal Ripken, Jr. (8), Frank Robinson (20), Jim Palmer (22), Eddie Murray (33), Jackie Robinson (42). J factor: Former Jays pro scout Gary Rajsich is the scouting director, scout David Blume is West Coast scouting supervisor (he signed Jeff Kent). Canadian content: Oakville’s Tyler Moe, Canadian scout. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and interest of the 10 post-season clubs): No. 5 ... AL East, people respect the way they played and were managed this season. Bodog odds to win World Series: 13-2.

And the winner is: Tigers in four.

American League Division Series (Teams split six meetings this year) Royals Team payroll: $92,185,521 (19th) Octobers: 1 World Series, 2 pennants, 8 post-season appearances. Post-season record: 18-24. Last post season: Beat Cardinals in 1985 World Series. How they got here: Edged Oakland and Jon Lester -- the man Billy Beane acquired to start one post-season game (or was it two ALCS games?) in extras in the AL wild card despite trailing 7-3. Manager: Ned Yost. Record: 89-73.  Run differential: Plus 27. Stud Hosses: RHP James Shields (14-8, 3.21) has a nickname of Big Game James -- not Big Five Innings James, he’ll go deeper vs. Angels. Theme: “Watched the Missouri Track Club run -- seven steals by SEVEN different guys.” Looking up: , C Salvador Perez (22 HRs, 85 RBIs, .260, .692 OPS), DH Billy Butler (32 doubles, nine HRs, 66 RBIs, .702 OPS) Looking down: No one had 75 RBIs (Alex Gordon led with 74) or 20 homers (Gordon had 19). Last in the AL in HRs and walks. Retired numbers: George Brett (5), Dick Howser (10), Frank White (20), Jackie Robinson (42). J factor this season: RPs Jason Frasor (647 regular season appearances and he gets the win in his first post-season appearance), C Erik Kratz, INF Jayson Nix, RP Scott Downs, Tim Collins, RHP Liam Hendriks. Canadian content: Cambridge`s Scott Thorman a coach at class-A Burlington. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and fan interest of the 10 post-season clubs): No. 8. Bodog odds to win World Series: 16-1.

Angels Team payroll: $154,546,500 (6th) Octobers: 1 World Series, 1 Pennant, 10 post-season appearances. Post-season record: 23-33. Last post season: Lost 2009 ALCS to New York Yankees. How they got here: Best record in AL. Manager: Mike Scioscia. Record: 98-64. Run differential: Plus 143. Stud Hosses: CF Mike Trout (36 HRs, 111 RBIs, .287, .939 OPS), 1B Albert Pujols (28 HRs, 105 RBIs, .272, .790 OPS). Theme: “You really want to try to steal that many bases, do you know what position our manager played?” Looking up: RHP Jered Weaver (18-9, 3.59), RP Huston Street (1-2, 1.71, 17-for-19, 89%). Looking down: OF Josh Hamilton (10 HRs, 44 RBIs, .263, .745 OPS) has had three at-bats since Sept. 4. Retired numbers: Jim Fregosi (11), Gene Autry (26), Rod Carew (29), Nolan Ryan (30), Jimmie Reese (50), Jackie Robinson (42). J factor: John MacDonald, John Buck, coach Alfredo Griffin Canadian content: Amateur scout Don Archer, White Rock, B.C. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and fan interest of the 10 post-season clubs): No. 7 ... McDonald moves them up. Bodog odds to win World Series: Co-favorite with the Dodgers at 5-1.

And the winners are: Angels in five.

San Franciso Giants

(Pirates won four of six meetings this year) Team payroll: $149,089,475 (7th) Octobers: 7 World Series, 22 Pennants, and 25 post-season appearances Post-season record: 93-87. Last post season: Swept Detroit in 2012 World Series. Manager: Bruce Bochy Record: 88-74. Run differential: Plus 51.  Stud Hosses: LHP Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98) best arm starts ... C Buster Posey (22 HRs, 89 RBIs, .311, .854 OPS) faces CF Andrew McCutchen (25 HRs, 83 RBIs, .952 OPS) first time back-to-back MVPs have matched up since Barry Bonds and Giants played Atlanta Braves and Terry Pendleton in 1992 ALCS. Theme: ``Every other year we`re here and we`re not leaving!`` Looking up: SF has roughed up Bucs starter Edison Volquez for a 5.72 lifetime average ... Giants have won six consecutive elimination games. Looking down: Pablo Sandoval 4 RBIs in one of his last 16 games ... Angel Pagan won’t play, SF has .615 win % with him, .415 without him ... One of four teams to lead by 6 1/2 teams to lead their division and not win (Jays are another). Retired numbers: Christy Mathewson, John McGraw, Bill Terry (3), Mel Ott (4), Carl Hubbell (11), Monte Irvin (20), Willie Mays (24), Juan Marichal (27), Orlando Cepeda (30), Gaylord Perry (36), Jackie Robinson (42), Willie McCovey (44). J factor: INF Marco Scutaro, C Guillermo Quiroz. Canadian content: Part owner Jeff Mallett, of Victoria, B.C. and super scout Raimondo Calari from Montreal. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and fan interest of the 10 post-season clubs): 9th, big support on west coast and in Okotoks, Alta. Bodog odds to win World Series: No. 12-1.

Pirates Team payroll: $71,929,333 (27th) Octobers: 5 World Series, 9 NL Pennants, 16 post-season appearances. Post-season record: 49-45. Last post season: Lost 2013 division series to St. Louis Cardinals. Manager: Clint Hurdle. Record: 88-74 Run differential: 51. Stud Hosses: 2B Neil Walker (23 HRs, 76 RBIs, .271, .809 OPS). Theme: “You thought we were one-year wonders last year? We’re back.” Looking up: 3B Josh Harrison (13 HRs, 52 RBIs, .315, .837 OPS), Looking down: Only the Cubs and Indians have had longer World Series droughts than the Bucs. Retired numbers: Billy Meyer 1, Ralph Kiner 4, Willie Stargell 8, Bill Mazeroski 9, Paul Waner 11, Pie Traynor 20, Roberto Clemente 21, Honus Wagner 33, Danny Murtaugh 40, Jackie Robinson 42.  J factor: OF Travis Snider (13 HRs, 38 RBIs, .264, .776 OPS), coach Nick Leyva. Canadian content: Montreal C Russell Martin (11 HRs, 67 RBIs, .290, .832 OPS), RP John Axford (0-1, 4.09) of Port Dover, Ont. Canada’s team: No. (ranked by Canadian involvement and fan interest of the 10 post-season clubs): Second with support from all of Quebec and parts of Ontario. Bodog odds to win World Series: 14-1.

And the winner is: Giants in one.

American League Wild-Card game 

Oakland A’s Team payroll: $82,320,900 (25th) Octobers: Four World Series win, six pennants, and 18 playoff appearances. Post-season record: 37-48. Last post season: Lost AL division series 3-2 to Detroit. Manager: Bob Melvin. Record: 88-74. Run differential: Plus 157. Stud Hosses: LHP Jon Lester is 6-4 with a 2.11 ERA in 11 post-season starts, including 4-1 last year. 3B Josh Donaldson (29 HRs, 98 RBIs, .255, .798) Theme: "We also make books and movies." Looking up: Brandon Moss (25 HRs, 81 RBIs, .234, .772 OPS). Looking down: A`s have been shut out since trading Yeonis Cespedes batted .350 (14-for-40) with six RBIs in the 2012-13 playoffs. Rest of the A’s hit .185 (52-for-281) with 18 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Retired numbers: Reggie Jackson 9, Rickey Henderson 24, Catfish Hunter 27, Rollie Fingers 34, Jackie Robinson 42 and Dennis Eckersley 43. J factor this season: Jesse Chavez, Brad Mills. Canadian content: Toronto-born Farhan Zaidi, director of operations, Burlington’s Matt Higginson is the A’s hard-working area scout. Waterloo’s Dick Callahan is the P.A. announcer at O.co Coliseum. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and fan interest of the 10 post-season clubs): No. 10. Bodog odds to win World Series: 11-1.

Kansas City Royals Team payroll: $ 92,185,521 (19th) Octobers: 1 World Series, 2 pennants, 8 post-season appearances. Post-season record: 18-24. Last post season: Beat Cardinals in 1985 World Series. Manager: Ned Yost. Record: 89-73. Run differential: Plus 27. Stud Hosses: RHP James (Big Game) Shields (14-8, 3.21) held Adam Dunn to 7-for-35 (.200) 16 Ks, 1 HR, C Salvador Perez (22 HRs, 85 RBIs, .260, .692 OPS). Theme: "They were our A`s first. " Looking up: DH Billy Butler (32 doubles, nine HRs, 66 RBIs, .702 OPS) Looking down: No one had 75 RBIs (Alex Gordon led with 74) or 20 homers (Gordon had 19). Last in the AL in HRs and walks. Retired numbers: George Brett (5), Dick Howser (10), Frank White (20), Jackie Robinson (42). J factor this season: C Erik Kratz, INF Jayson Nix, RPs Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Tim Collins, RHP Liam Hendriks. Canadian content: Cambridge`s Scott Thorman a coach at class-A Burlington. Canada’s team (ranked by Canadian involvement and fan interest of the 10 post-season clubs): No. 8. Bodog odds to win World Series: 16-1.