Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64 ERA)
Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.82 ERA)
Doug Fister (10-9, 3.32 ERA)
Rick Porcello (10-12, 4.59 ERA)
There's no doubt that Justin Verlander will be the Tigers No. 1 pitcher in the postseason, but beyond Verlander, there are a lot of questions concerning Detroit's rotation.
Verlander has picked up where he left off from his MVP season a year ago, going 17-8 with a 2.64 ERA this season, but Max Scherzer, the Tigers' No. 2 starter, has been battling a deltoid injury in his throwing shoulder, forcing him to miss his last start, and to be pulled from his start on Sept. 18 after just two innings.
After Scherzer, the Tigers will run out Doug Fister, who has recovered from injuries and on-field struggles in the first half of the season, boasting a 3.32 ERA.
Fister, who will throw tonight against the Royals has won three of his last four starts, and has a 2.34 ERA in September.
After Fister, I think the Tigers will finish with Rick Porcello in a four-man rotation. Porcello earned the win in the Tigers' division-clinching victory on Monday, and despite his mediocre 10-12 record, and elevated 4.59 ERA, Porcello has been with the Tigers his entire four-year career, and has shown he can step up in big starts and hold his own.
I think if Scherzer is truly healthy, the Tigers will relinquish newly acquired Anibal Sanchez to the bullpen, asking him to be a long reliever if a starter struggles.
