RUST IS PREDICTABLE, PITCHING TO ALBERT INEXCUSABLE:

Lengthy Layoff May Have Taken Edge Off Detroit (Barry Svrluga, October 22, 2006, Washington Post)

The obvious question after the Detroit Tigers' lackluster 7-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the World Series on Saturday night came not about the game itself, but in all the time the Tigers had to dilly-dally before the series began. Six days of practicing is, after all, not the same as six days of playing. Did the layoff affect the Tigers, who had won seven straight games?

"I'm sure it did," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "It seemed like we were just one step behind, and the intensity wasn't quite there. I would imagine that's what it was from, because in the World Series, you shouldn't be as relaxed at all."

Other players tossed the layoff aside. "That's an excuse," designated hitter Sean Casey said. But there was evidence of rust on the Tigers, such as when Inge committed two errors on the same play in the sixth inning.