Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander may serve as relief pitcher for the fifth game – MLB News
Justin Verlander may get his name enlisted as relief pitcher for the fifth game of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Having booked his spot as the starter for the third game on Monday, October 3 Verlander is all set to storm
and upset the Yankees’ offence.
To discharge his role as relief pitcher for the fifth game, the Detroit Tigers have to make their way into the game. Provided the Yankees win the first three games, it will be formally the end of all hope for the Tigers to play the fifth match.
For team manager Jim Leyland, what is important is succeeding into the fifth game and keeping the pitchers fit for the awaited encounter. The Tigers will be looking to go all out against the Yankees to keep their hopes alive and make it to a fifth game.
"We'll have to play that by ear," Leyland said. "We'll have to get there first. ... I guess that's a possibility, I probably would rather not do that."
New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers in the first of the five game AL Series 9-3, triggering an internal debate in the Tigers’ camp as to how they can recharge Detroit’s defence. Doug Fister’s spell proved to be an utter fiasco for the Tigers when he
came on the mound to pitch after the rain had swept the game earlier.
Fister gave up six runs and allowed six hits in 4.2 innings that hardly left any space for the Tigers to regain their position in the game.
Verlander now hopes he will do it differently once Monday’s game kicks off in Detroit.
"Maybe I'll just go down to the bullpen," Verlander joked. "I know he won't let me. I've tried too many times before. He always says, 'No,' and gets mad at me."
As the Yankees so far have a 1-0 lead in the five-game AL Division Series, the Tigers have a golden opportunity to formulate a new strategy to stage a comeback and get a much needed win.
Tags: