Detroit Tigers' manager Jim Leyland removes Jose Valverde as closer – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers' relief pitcher Jose Valverde had almost lost the game for his side on Saturday night in Game 1 of American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees when he allowed four runs and three hits on his short spell of 0.2 innings.
But thanks to closing pitchers Octavio Dotel and Drew Smyly as both held the Yankees' offense hard and eventually earned a good early victory for the Tigers.
Several reports are coming now that relief pitcher Jose Valverde will not be playing as closer in this post-season. Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland has taken him out from relief pitcher’s role while it is yet to determine that how long he will remain out from the post-season.
“We can’t go with a 10-man pitching staff, We need Jose Valverde. In my heart, I definitely believed was a perfect time to get him right back to the mound with the little extra comfort of a four-run lead, Obviously, it didn't work. I was wrong, looks like he expects something bad to happen,” Leyland said as he explained why he thinks Valverde should not be playing for a little while.
Saturday’s game was going smooth towards the end, but Valverde gave exceptional optimism to the Yankees that they can still win. He pitched way-ward and allowed too many lose deliveries which were hammered by Yankees' veteran hitters Derek Jeter and Raul Ibanez.
"We really want to put our heads together and discuss it first, to be honest with you, and get together as a coaching staff and talk about it, If we are going to be good enough, we have to be able to take a punch," Tigers' manager Jim Leyland said after Saturday’s game.
Though now Tigers are leading 2-0 in ALCS but many experts believe Leyland’s step to remove Valverde as closer is huge as it will help his team play more confidently in later outings.
Meanwhile, Valverde who possesses some extraordinary skills is certainly not playing well in this post-season and this potential break will help him regain his focus.
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