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Detroit Tigers: Three Former Aces in the World Series

By Manny Gómez

DETROIT, MI - MAY 06: The Detroit Tigers starting pitching rotation (L-R) Anibal Sanchez #19, Max Scherzer #37, Justin Verlander #35, Rick Porcello #21 and Drew Smyly #33 pose for a photo prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on May 6, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Astros 11-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MAY 06: The Detroit Tigers starting pitching rotation (L-R) Anibal Sanchez #19, Max Scherzer #37, Justin Verlander #35, Rick Porcello #21 and Drew Smyly #33 pose for a photo prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park on May 6, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Astros 11-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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If you’re a fan of the Detroit Tigers, you have the great (mis)fortune of getting to see three of your former aces on baseball’s biggest stage.

This season, the Detroit Tigers flirted with having the worst season in the franchise’s history. Having lost 114 games, they fell five games short of the 2003 Tigers who had 119 losses.

To add insult to injury, however, this season they get to see three of their former aces pitching in the World Series on different teams.

We begin with Justin Verlander, the heart and soul of the Houston Astros pitching staff. When Verlander was traded to Houston back in 2017, many believed he was on the back end of an illustrious career.

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Little did we know, he was about to get better.

In 73 starts with the Astros, Verlander has posted a 42-15 record with a 2.45 ERA and 0.837  WHIP. What’s more, the 36-year-old ace has a ring to his name and has a chance at another.

Next, we have “Mad” Max Scherzer, a two-time Cy Young Award winner with the Washington Nationals.

Since signing with the Nats back in 2015, Scherzer has decreased his ERA from 3.52 in 161 GS in Detroit to 2.74 in 158 GS in D.C. What’s more, his K/9 went from 9.6 with the Tigers to 11.7 with the Nats.

Finally, we have Anibal Sanchez. Mostly a journeyman starter with one incredible season under his belt -14-8 with a 2.57 ERA in Detroit in 2013 – no one thought Sanchez would make an impact with the Nats.

So far, however, he has played one of the most important roles for the Nationals this postseason. In two starts, Sanchez has pitched 12.2 IP, allowing 1 ER and striking out 14 batters. He flirted with a no-hitter during the NLCS game one, finally allowing a hit with two outs in the eighth.

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Can you imagine sitting at home as a Detroit Tigers fan, watching three former starters play large roles in helping two other teams win it all?

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