Who pitches game one?

[erg57]

scherzer?

 

[grandy]

I'd like to see Sanchez get the nod, he's had the best numbers in the 2nd half so far.

2nd half
Last 30 days

 

[Thumb]

I think it's obviously going to be Scherzer, followed by Sanchez.

The bigger question become who will be #3 out of the rest.

 

[spockmaster]

Verlander most likely, then Fister. That way if we end up as the #3 seed, JV would get the first home start.

 

[manchild98]

That's what I think the rotation will be as well. Max, Sanchez, JV and Fister. Although I can't say I'd be shocked to see JV pitch game 2 assuming it's in Oakland. More foul territory could benefit him and Oakland's yard is at the bottom in home runs given up. Sanchez could start at home in game 3 and he doesn't give up many home runs.

 

[Tigers_fan_1506]

Leyland will once again be to loyal to a player. He will probably start JV when it should be Max.

 

[tomdalton22]

Leyland will once again be to loyal to a player. He will probably start JV when it should be Max.

I think it should be Sanchez. I think he has pitched better than Max since the all star break.

 

[UMRules06]

I would go Scherzer, Sanchez, Fister, JV, Scherzer. I put JV in for game 4 because if we are somehow down 2 games to 1 I'd rather have him in there with the season on the line. If it goes to 5 games, then Sanchez is still a worthy game 1 starter for the ALCS. Scherzer's been our stud all year, and he deserves to start two games in the series. We could have a serious argument about using Porcello in the playoff rotation if we wanted to, but I don't wanna go anywhere near that.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I can't imagine JV more than 3rd and if I had to bet I say he's our number 2 behind Max.

 

[Rebbiv]

Benoit


Game 1 Save

 

[jdeb]

I would put JV in the bullpen. Scherzer, Sanchez, Porcello, Fister and that my friends is why I am not employed by a MLB team on any level.

 

[erg57]

This is a toughie. Didnt JV's problems start last post season?

 

[UMRules06]

This is a toughie. Didnt JV's problems start last post season?

JV actually had a great postseason last year except for his World Series start, when Sandoval teed off on him. He was phenomenal against both Oakland and the Yankees in 3 starts prior to that. He also had a decent April this season. His troubles probably began around the middle of May in that start @Texas where he gave up 8 runs in less than 3 innings.

I truly don't know how I feel about him right now. He's been adequate down the stretch here, but he is certainly still not the 2011 dominant Verlander. I'd start him in game 3 or 4 like most have been saying, but Leyland probably won't do that.

 

[Rebbiv]

Strong odds the starting catchers will be either Avila or Martinez (NL Parks) for most games.

Avila + Martinez

Scherzer 17 G 14-0 40.80 RC/650 .178 OPP BAVG .518 OPP OPS 0.84 WHIP

Sanchez 19 G 10-5 59.42 RC/650 .226 OPP BAVG .605 OPP OPS 1.16 WHIP

Porcello 21 G 12-4 61.25 RC/640 .241 OPP BAVG .663 OPP OPS 1.13 WHIP

Verlander 17 G 8-7 67.02 RC/650 .246 OPP BAVG .662 OPP OPS 1.27 WHIP

Fister 20 G 10-6 69.79 RC/650 .270 OPP BAVG .689 OPP OPS 1.25 WHIP

TOTAL 94 G 54-22 59.80 RC/650 .234 OPP BAVG .631 OPP OPS 1.13 WHIP


Pena + Holaday

Sanchez 8 G 4-2 61.59 RC/650 .228 OPP BAVG .637 OPP OPS 1.14 WHIP

Scherzer 15 G 6-3 64.15 RC/650 .228 OPP BAVG .667 OPP OPS 1.12 WHIP

Fister 14 G 3-3 74.53 RC/650 .298 OPP BAVG .737 OPP OPS 1.40 WHIP

Verlander 15 G 5-5 85.52 RC/650 .267 OPP BAVG .740 OPP OPS 1.39 WHIP

Porcello 8 G 1-4 109.35 RC/650 .349 OPP BAVG .855 OPP OPS 1.82 WHIP

TOTAL 60 G 19-17 77.15 RC/650 .269 OPP BAVG .722 OPP OPS 1.33 WHIP


The only starter that probably wasn't affected by the catcher was Sanchez. Everyone else was, especially Porcello.

IMHO, Fister should be the odd man out. However, I will not fret about it. Everyone of our starters has the ability to pitch well, given the right circumstances. If Leyland wants to pair Sanchez and Pena in the playoffs, OK. But if he pairs Pena with Porcello (assume it might be possible), then we know Leyland either doesn't look at the numbers or he does and just ignores them.

Scherzer hasn't lost with Avila as a catcher (14 Wins in 17 games). The last time DET lost with Avila and Scherzer together was May 31st and the Valverde gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the ninth in BAL. The only other time was April 12th and DET lost in 12 innings in OAK. Since winning 19 games, Scherzer was paired with Pena the next 3 games. 2 losses and a no decision, and 2 of those games where he didn't go beyond 5 innings. The last 2 was with Avila. A no decision (3-2 Win) and last night.

So, Scherzer paired with Avila should be a good bet for Game 1 in any series.

 

[jdeb]

Great post ! I kind of figured Avila was the man with the pitchers. Where you extrapolate this stuff amazes me. You should be working for a club. Pena is one of those guys you got to have around, he is gonna get some bigs hits for you in crunch time.

 

[Rebbiv]

Great post ! I kind of figured Avila was the man with the pitchers. Where you extrapolate this stuff amazes me. You should be working for a club. Pena is one of those guys you got to have around, he is gonna get some bigs hits for you in crunch time.

Pena Close/Late .298 BAVG .300 OBP .319 SLG .619 OPS

Pena High Leverage .255 BAVG .241 OBP .273 SLG .514 OPS

Pena 0 or 1 out .273 BAVG .287 OBP .387 SLG .674 OPS

Pena 2 outs .371 BAVG .371 OBP .443 SLG .814 OPS

First 3 innings .382 BAVG .433 SLG .564 SLG .997 OPS

Innings 4-9 .260 BAVG .258 SLG .340 SLG .598 OPS


I assume you mean he might get some big hits because he is due. Otherwise, Pena's hits come when then are just not that important.

He is here to hit lefties:

2013 vs LHP

Pena .267 BAVG .282 OBP .327 OBP .608 OPS

Avila has a career .636 OPS versus lefties. So Pena isn't really an improvement there.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Pena Close/Late .298 BAVG .300 OBP .319 SLG .619 OPS

Pena High Leverage .255 BAVG .241 OBP .273 SLG .514 OPS

Pena 0 or 1 out .273 BAVG .287 OBP .387 SLG .674 OPS

Pena 2 outs .371 BAVG .371 OBP .443 SLG .814 OPS

First 3 innings .382 BAVG .433 SLG .564 SLG .997 OPS

Innings 4-9 .260 BAVG .258 SLG .340 SLG .598 OPS


I assume you mean he might get some big hits because he is due. Otherwise, Pena's hits come when then are just not that important.

He is here to hit lefties:

2013 vs LHP

Pena .267 BAVG .282 OBP .327 OBP .608 OPS

Avila has a career .636 OPS versus lefties. So Pena isn't really an improvement there.

So the first 3 innings aren't important or doing well in 2-out situations? Damn it, Pena, we don't care about good hitting early. IT MEANS NOTHING.

 

[spockmaster]

if pena isnt gone after the seasons done, imma flip a shit.