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Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander Set Up Perfectly For Wild Card Game

By Matt Snyder

Sep 22, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Tigers have their starting pitching rotation set exactly as they want it as they race for the Wild Card game and the playoffs beyond.

The Detroit Tigers have their pitching rotation set up perfectly as they chase down the American League Wild Card. The biggest advantage a team can game in a one-game playoff is to have their ace starting pitcher on the mound.

The way the rotation is currently set, Justin Verlander is scheduled to pitch on the final day of the season. If the Tigers need to win that day to secure a Wild Card spot, then great, they need him to pitch that game and they’re happy to have him.

If the Tigers have clinched a Wild Card spot already, they would opt to start Anibal Sanchez or Mike Pelfrey instead. It wouldn’t really matter which as neither figure to be involved in the Wild Card game two days hence.

Here’s a look at the Tigers’ final 10 games with probable starting pitcher listed.

Remaining Schedule

Friday, September 23 vs. Royals — Michael Fulmer
Saturday, September 24 vs. Royals — Daniel Norris
Sunday, September 25 vs. Royals — Matt Boyd

Monday, September 26 vs. Indians — Buck Farmer
Tuesday, September 27 vs. Indians — Verlander
Wednesday, September 28 vs. Indians — Fulmer
Thursday, September 29 vs. Indians — Norris

Friday, September 30 at Braves — Boyd
Saturday, October 1 at Braves — Farmer
Sunday, October 2 at Braves — Verlander / Sanchez / Pelfrey

Tuesday, October 4 — American League Wild Card

Thursday, October 6 — ALDS Game 1

The perfect scenario* would be for the Tigers to clinch the Wild Card ahead of the final Sunday and to bump Verlander to Tuesday’s Wild Card game. That would put Michael Fulmer in line to potentially start Game 1 (and Game 5) of the ALDS with Verlander slotting back in for Game 3.

*Leaving aside the remote possibility of a colossal Cleveland Indians collapse and the Tigers making up the seven game gap in just ten days.

If Verlander is needed on the final Sunday of the season, the Tigers will then turn to Fulmer for the Wild Card game. That’s not a bad second option, but you’d much rather have Verlander on the hill in a do-or-die scenario.

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Obviously the Tigers have to keep winning and lock down a Wild Card berth to make this discussion relevant, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Verlander has been back to his true ace self and the Tigers will want to ride him as much as possible.

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