DET 3, OAK 0; Tigers move on to ALCS

I had no idea how this one would go; I think it went how it was supposed to. Insert bromide here about pitching in a short series, and Melvin has nothing to apologize for in that regard.

But Oakland's out and hope is pretty much dead for this picker as a result.

Last night's points:

Cabrera 4
Fielder 1
Hunter 1
Martinez 3
Lowrie 2

Verlander 17
Balfour 3

Most Valuable Pick: JV. It's not close. He was a near-universal choice last year; I wasn't surprised by his decreased popularity in 2013, but it's seeming like a real shame now.
LVP: A few candidates for this one; I'd say Austin Jackson is the most surprising underachiever here.
Shane Victorino Award: Jhonny Peralta. Had something to prove; proved it.

Money and predix after the jump.

102 Johnson 1
101 Bingham 1
96 Birthworthy

91 Reid
90 Quinn

86.67 Shotwell
84.67 Cameron 1
84 Green
82.33 Cameron 2

75.67 Johnson 2
75 Sheebell
74 Ramos
73.67 Dunn and Tormey

59.33 Bunting 1

48 Bunting 2, Bingham 2
44 Rogers
42 Stempardson

Nobody is pickless at this point, so I'll keep posting everyone's scores...but if you don't have all your pitchers left, you're probably dunfer. And by "you're," I mean "we're," since anyone who's already more than 30 off the pace probably can't make it up.

This does seem like the least damaging round of eliminations to the pool that we've had -- remember all those years people kept picking the Cubs? well, keep drinking so you forget, because [shudder] -- so there's that.

NLCS Game 1 is tonight at 8:30 ET, Greinke v. Kelly. If the Dodgers can get the Cards down a couple games quickly, they can win. They let this drag past Game 5, they'll lose. St. Louis does. not. stop.

See you in the clubhouse...