Due to Max Scherzer's ankle injury, the Detroit Tigers find themselves with a 1 game hole in their starting rotation. So Jim Leyland will ask his middle relief pitchers to get the team through Wednesday's season finale.
After the Tigers' 4-2 loss to the Royals, Leyland let the world know his exact plan. He will go with a 'pitcher by committee' to replace Scherzer.
Luis Marte will start. Other bullpen arms scheduled to pitch are Luke Putkonen, Darin Downs, Brayan Villarreal and Phil Coke (if needed). Swing man Drew Smyly is scheduled to toss an inning as well.
Wednesday's game in Kansas City is meaningless in the standings; the Tigers are locked in as the 3rd playoff seed. It's only a matter of getting through game 162 healthy.