Orioles, Tigers kick off ALDS in grand fashion

By Bobby Agnese | Oct 2, 2014

Oct 2, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) celebrates with first baseman Steve Pearce (28) after hitting a two run home run during the first inning in game one of the 2014 American League divisional series against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Whoever says baseball is boring has obviously never watched in October.

More from MLB

Game 1 of the 2014 AL Divisonal Series is living proof of that, as the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers didn’t waste any time getting things started. By the bottom of the 2nd inning, three home runs had been knocked out of the park, courtesy of both teams.

More from MLB

The Orioles kicked off the crush-fest, as Nelson Cruz hit a booming 2-run shot off of Max Scherzer to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Cruz’s hitting continues to get better with each game. After a worrisome summer, where he averaged .214 over 3 months, he largely improved in September, recording 37 hits in 106 at-bats. It seems as if that Cruz is changing with the leaves, and for the better.

As impressive as Cruz’s whack was, the Tigers fought back with some intensity of their own. Victor Martinez and JD Martinez both went yard on solo shots, abusing Chris Tillman on back-to-back pitches.

Although Tillman gave up some quick solo shots, he started the game pitching absolutely lights-out. From the first pitch of the first inning, he was perfect, striking out the first three batters on big whiffs. Although it is his first postseason start, Tillman looks ready to step up to the challenge. It makes it much easier to have such a great hitting team to back him up.

Two great teams battling off, putting their everything behind their bats. It may be early, but all signs point to a high-scoring affair in Baltimore. Boring? Baseball? Yeah right.

More from FanSided