Here's an encapsulated look at the preview coverage we put together for the World Series, which starts tonight. We put out a 40-page tab section (and, by we, I mean, Drew Ellis laid the pages out, with me providing 75% of the copy) at The Oakland Press. The cover of that section is at right:

Below are links to all the stories that I wrote for the section, with a brief synopsis.

"Tigers would love to win one for Ilitch"
Owner Mike Ilitch has never stinted in constructing a team that's good enough to win the World Series, and the Tigers would all love to repay that faith in them by handing Ilitch the one thing he can't get for himself: A World Series ring.

COLUMN: "So I lost my place. Are we still doing the 'Fire Leyland' thing?"
A silly look at how silly it is to still cling to the notion (as some embittered fans have) that the limiting factor for the Tigers' success this year is manager Jim Leyland. Especially now that they're in the World Series.

"Tigers won't get fooled again, prepare differently than in '06"
A look at the thought process that went into the decision to play a pair of scrimmages against minor leaguers at Comerica Park last weekend, in the hopes of staving off the rust that plagued the Tigers in the 2006 World Series.

"So is a fixed-up Valverde the Tigers' closer? Maybe yes, maybe no"
Jose Valverde worked on his mechanics with pitching coach Jeff Jones during his hiatus in the American League Championship Series, and feels confident they've fixed the issues that plagued him in the ALDS and Game 1 of the ALCS. For his part, manager Jim Leyland thinks Valverde will play a role in the World Series.

"Tigers riding suddenly-stingy starting staff through postseason"
The obligatory look at how the Tigers' rotation has been dominant through the first two rounds of the postseason. As a staff, the Tigers allowed 15 runs in their season-ending, 15-5 loss to the Rangers in last year's ALCS, but have allowed 17 runs total through nine postseason games this year.

"Tigers draw motivation from how last year's postseason ended"
Speaking of that 15-5 "shellacking," as Phil Coke put it, that sour taste from last year's ALCS was a bit of a motivating factor, something the Tigers were trying to rid themselves of this year.

"A player-by-player look at the Tigers' World Series roster"
Just what it sounds like. Looks at the roles that each player may find themselves in during this World Series.

"Tigers have been built to win, but it was up to them to figure out how on their own"
A look at how the Tigers — a much younger team than the one that made it to the World Series in 2006 — was put together, and how it was molded into a winning team throughout a season that was trying for both players and the coaching staff.

"Tigers get season-long advice from their Cardinal connection"
Detroit signed a pair of free agents from last year's World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals squad, picking up catcher Gerald Laird and reliever Octavio Dotel, to add veteran presence to the clubhouse. Both guys have been vocal in reminding everyone how the regular season didn't matter quite as much as postseason success does.

"Phil Coke is best when his brain doesn't get in the way"
Part of the reason behind Phil Coke's startling postseason success is the fact that he's not overthinking things, nor is he having too much time to think about his role, thanks to manager Jim Leyland.

"Recap of the 2012 playoff run"
A game-by-game look at how the Tigers made it through the AL Division Series and Championship Series, and made it all the way to the World Series.

"Series all the sweeter for guys who had no guarantees to be here"
Regardless of how the Tigers' season turned out as a whole, no one made any guarantees about guys like Quintin Berry, Danny Worth or Don Kelly being a part of that conclusion. That makes it all the sweeter that they're here now.

"ALCS MVP Young will have to play in LF to stay in lineup in NL cities"
Delmon Young spent most of the year at DH for the Tigers, but he'll have to go back to his roots in left field to be kept in the lineup when the Tigers play in San Francisco, and have to bat the pitcher. But manager Jim Leyland insisted it was a no-brainer to keep Young's bat in the lineup.