The Tigers and White Sox played a critical makeup game today. For days, I said the Tigers needed to start Max Scherzer, as he has been great. His last start was 5 days ago against the White Sox, and he gave up 1 run, 4 hits, 0 walks, and 7 strikeouts in 6 innings. He would have been pitching on his normal 4 days rest.
This is a critical game, because if the Tigers lost, they would be 3 games behind with only 16 to play. In addition, the game is worth 2 games in the standings, because the Tigers would either be 1 game out or 3 games out, depending upon the outcome. With the game having such importance and there being so few games left, you need to do what you have to do to win. This meant that Leyland should have changed the rotation to pitch Scherzer on his regular rest and give an extra day’s rest to Fister. Instead, Leyland pitched Fister, and the Tigers lost.
Scherzer has been great. In his last seven starts, he has been 6-0 and has given up these earned runs: 2, 0, 1, 1, 0, 2, 1. This is the biggest game of the year to this point, and Leyland had a very hot pitcher that had shut the Sox down 5 days ago, but chose to go in another direction and it cost them.
Fister has been as “hot” as anybody on the Tigers staff!
He blanked the Sox last week at the Cell and has had the Sox’ number this year!
Stop Crying!
Fister has been hot as you said, but I said for days they needed to start Scherzer to be sure of winning the game.