Who will Tigers start in Game 4 of ALDS against Guardians ace Tanner Bibee?
The Detroit Tigers are nothing if not unconventional. After winning Game 2 to take a 2-1 lead in the ALDS, it's clearly working, so why change now?
Before the Tigers started their playoff run, manager A.J. Hinch appropriately said the team would employ "pitching chaos" when ace Tarik Skubal wasn't on the mound in the postseason.
Skubal is the only regular member of the Tigers' "rotation," so Hinch and Co. have been using an opener and bulk-reliever strategy since the end of July, when they traded No. 2 starter Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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That means guys being used as both starters and closers. Traditional starting pitchers being used for middle relief, and pretty much any other combination you could imagine.
That will be the case again on Thursday when the Tigers go for the series win against the Guardians, looking to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2013.
GAME RECAP: Tigers vs. Guardians ALDS score: Live updates, highlights from Game 3 at Comerica Park
The Tigers used "bully in the strike zone" lefty Tyler Holton as the opener in Game 1 of the ALDS as well as Game 2 of the wild-card series to differing results. Holton was lights out against the Astros, but was rocked against the Guardians before giving way to Reese Olson, who surrendered a three-run home run in the first inning. That's a small sample size, though, as Holton has been one of the most reliable options for the Tigers all year and is certainly in play for another start. Holton was used as the closer for the Tigers in Game 3, but that has never stopped Hinch from
Olson would be another candidate as he'd had four days to rest since he pitched five innings in the Game 1 loss on Thursday, but it's certainly no guarantee he gets the start.
Rookie starting pitcher Keider Montero was the first to take the mound in Game 3 for the Tigers, so you wouldn't think he'd be in line for another start, but he went just six pitches before being removed after the first inning, so you can't rule it out.
Another option that Hinch likes to start games is righty Beau Brieske, however he had a dominant two-inning outing on Wednesday throwing 27 pitches so it's a little less likely that he'll get the start.
Whoever the Tigers ultimately decide to pitch will have some fierce competition on the other side. The Guardians are lined up to start Tanner Bibee for the second time this series after a near-perfect first game. Bibee went 4⅔ innings and allowed just four hits and no runs against a Tigers team that looked overmatched.
Bibee is in his second year with the Guardians and has a career 3.25 ERA in 56 starts the last two seasons.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Who will Tigers start in ALDS Game 4 against Guardians' Tanner Bibee?
