Ask the Detroit Tigers what they think about Nelson Cruz's postseason track record.
After a quick punch to the face, they might explain to you how he almost beat them by himself in both the 2011 postseason and this season in the ALDS.
Cruz has quickly established himself as one of the best postseason hitters going right now. He's been great over his entire postseason career, and particularly great in his last four — two with the Texas Rangers in 2011 and two with the Baltimore Orioles this year.
In the division series sweep of the Tigers this year, Cruz hit .500 with two homers and five RBIs in three games. In the current ALCS against the Royals, he's batting .444 with two RBIs in the Orioles' two losses to fall into a 2-0 hole.
In order for the Orioles to get back in this series after losing Games 1 and 2 at home, they need Cruz to be like he was back in 2011 with the Rangers, when he hit six homers and drove in 13 runs in the six-game ALCS win over the Tigers and continued his hot hitting in the World Series loss, for which he'll always be remembered for his gaffe in right field.
