It was known that Justin Verlander would take the ball for the Detroit Tigers Saturday during game one of the American League Championship Series. Tonight, the Tigers revealed the rest of their starting rotation for their second round playoff series against the Texas Rangers.
Jim Leyland has tabbed Max Scherzer as his game two starter, with Doug Fister and Rick Porcello filling out the rest of the ALCS rotation. Earlier today, Leyland announced he was giving Porcello the start in game two, but changed his mind. Instead, Scherzer will take the mound two days after his relief effort in Thursday’s game five victory.
During the ALDS, Verlander officially started two games, but because of game one’s rainout, the AL Cy Young candidate was limited to a single frame. During his second start, Verlander picked up the win after eight strong innings of work.
Fister finished the suspended game one and then came back to pitch in the series finale. New York hit the big right-hander hard during game one but Fister came back to hold the Yankees to one run over five innings in the series finale.
Scherzer started game two for the Tigers, logging six shutout innings to pick up the victory. He then came back Thursday night to bridge the gap from Fister to Detroit’s late-inning arms.
Porcello will be filling the same role in the ALCS as he did in the first round, Detroit’s game four starter. The 22-year-old allowed four runs on five hits over six innings against the Yankees, taking the loss.
The Tigers and Rangers kick off their second round playoff series tonight in Arlington, as Verlander faces off against Texas righty C.J. Wilson.
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