Notes from TBS Exclusive Coverage of the American League Division Series Thursday, October 2, 2014

Martinez on Scherzer: “He’s the complete package. He’s reached a point [in his career] where he’s matured, he’s been in the playoffs, he has good stuff and poise. He’s the real deal.”

Sheffield on Joe Nathan: “When you see [their starters] come out of the game and Joe Nathan comes in, your eyes light up as a hitter. No disrespect, but that’s what happens. Everybody in the dugout runs to the bat rack because they don’t have to face the three-headed monster [Price, Scherzer and Verlander] anymore.”

Frazier on closer Zach Britton: “He’s dominant but if you can wait him out a little while, he can get wild at times…but knowing him, he’ll be really effective.”

Sheffield on first baseman Steve Pearce: “Steve Pearce came out of nowhere. Nobody ever heard of him but he’s been playing like an All-Star. He came in at the right time and picked [the Orioles] up…he’s going to have a big series.”

Simpson on how the Orioles bullpen helps them “shorten” the game: “They’ve got four [go-to] guys. While most ball clubs are happy to have a seventh, eighth and ninth [inning] guy, [Baltimore] only needs the starter to go five [innings]. In a short series, they can go to these guys quite a bit and shorten the ballgame.”

Simpson on reliever Andrew Miller: “Pitchers used to think that if they weren’t in the big leagues and producing by age 26, then they aren’t going to. From a pitching standpoint, guys are starting to develop at a later age. [Andrew] Miller is one of those guys.”

Simpson on Jonathan Schoop: “All the scouting reports I went over and all the video I saw doesn’t do him justice.”

Simpson on the Tigers defense: “The question mark for the Tigers is their defense. The outfield defense for the Orioles is so outstanding…not for the Tigers with [Rajai] Davis’ injury in particular. Will he be able to go back on balls? Will he be able to charge in on the ball? We’ll have to keep an eye on that all series.”

Darling on the Royals defense in Game 1: “Kansas City is putting on a clinic of how to play outfield defense.”

Ripken on how the Royals are expanding the roles of their relievers: “Roles are expanded in playoff baseball. Normally, you might not see Wade Davis in a tie game. If you do, he might just have the eighth [inning]…not the seventh plus the eighth. The same is true for a closer, you might call on him for three outs in the regular season, but its four, five or six outs in the postseason.”

Ripken on pros and cons of the Angels clinching a postseason spot early: “It’s a great pleasure to give your guys a rest by clinching early. But the risk is that you’re not playing at a high level of competitive ball. You might get a little rusty and then when you try to flip the switch back on right away.”

Darling on second baseman Howie Kendrick: “It always amazes me that when you talk about the great second basemen in the game, you talk about Ian Kinsler, Brandon Phillips or Chase Utley. Howie Kendrick’s name never comes up. He’s always flown under the radar. He’s one of the best in the game.”