Tigers will start 'bully in the strike zone' Tyler Holton vs. Guardians in ALDS Game 1
CLEVELAND — The Detroit Tigers are going back to the Tyler Holton well.
The versatile lefty will start Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians.
This will be Holton's third appearance in three games. Holton, 28, pitched in Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Houston Astros, pitching one out in the eighth inning of a 3-1 win. Then, Holton started Game 2 against Houston, throwing one inning in the 5-2 win.
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"I think he can handle the emotion of that by being a bully in the strike zone and getting really key outs," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday at Progressive Field. "He just did it the other day. I'm not sure how many people have started back-to-back games, but he's going to be on the shortlist."
Holton has not allowed a hit against four batters faced in the two postseason appearances.
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What makes him so special?
"Slow heartbeat is the first ingredient," Hinch said. "Being able to get anybody out is also key. He's got pitches for everybody. He can get creative. He can be stubborn. He's a strike thrower, but the slow heartbeat allows me to deploy him at any time. I think he's pitched in every inning, including the 10th. Not sure if he got to the 11th or 12th, but he's the type of pitcher you want in every situation. So I know it's unique for a reliever to have as many innings as he has, but he never feels overused or tired. He can get righties out. He's got a tall task with that."
Holton, who went 7-2 with a 2.19 ERA and eight across 66 appearances (nine starts as the opener) in the regular season, is scheduled to meet with the media later Friday.
The Guardians will start right-hander Tanner Bibee, who had a 3.50 ERA against the Tigers in three July starts.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers will start Tyler Holton vs Guardians in ALDS Game 1
