Justin Verlander was slated to start Games 1 and 5 of the World Series for the Tigers. And it's going to stay that way, despite Detroit getting into an early 2-0 hole against the Giants.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland was asked on Thursday if the Detroit ace might return "early," in the event that the Tigers found themselves in a do-or-die situation. (Which is exactly what would happen in Game 4 if the Giants won Game 3 on Saturday.)
"Well, he's coming back in Game 5, I hope," Leyland said, per Eye on Baseball's Matt Snyder.
Leyland was then specifically asked if Verlander would return for Game 4.
"No," Leyland said.
The truth is it would be a silly gamble anyway. If the Tigers were to get down 3-0 and face a Giants sweep on Sunday, Verlander would be pitching on just three days rest. And he would be coming off of a bad outing where the Giants hammered him and he didn't have his best stuff.
Additionally, it's not like winning a Game 4 in that situation would do anything other than extend the series. Having one of the Tigers talented pitchers throw well in Game 4 and then have Verlander for Game 5.
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The reality is the Tigers need their hitters to come alive once the series shifts back to Detroit more than they need Verlander to magically find a way to pitch seven games.
Of course, having said all of this, it's entirely possible that the Tigers will get down 3-0 and Leyland will turn to his ace on short rest. It's a guarantee that if the Tigers get down 3-0, Tigers fans and the media will call for Verlander to start Game 4.
But that doesn't make it the right move, and it's nice to see Leyland already recognizes that.
