A.J. HINCH ADDRESSES every question as if he's been given the answers in advance. He speaks with abject certainty about pitching changes and lineup decisions and momentum shifts. There's never a pause to formulate an answer before sending the words into the world. He can explain a simple, subtle lineup change like an architect detailing the placement of windows. He is calm and assured and consistent, every answer traveling in a straight line. If we ever need someone to narrate the apocalypse, A.J.'s our guy.
He was the same guy when the Detroit Tigers were stomping their way to the best record in baseball and building a lead in the American League Central that reached 15½ games on July 8.