Leyland Shuffling the Rotation = No Brainer

Before today, Justin Verlander's turn in the rotation has him starting tonight, and then next Friday as they open a series in Baltimore.

Perhaps he's not as ornery as we have all thought he was, and he realized that pitching the future Cy Young winner would  be better off on Thursday against the Cleveland Indians in what will be an important series for the Tigers.  And he won't be losing any rest, as the Tigers are off on Monday.

But with that move for his workhorse, I hope he realizes he needs to to the same with his lineup.  Stop playing the percentages, and play who needs to be played, i.e. streaky batters, regulars who should have regular time in a stretch run.  Leyland's late-game management is always in question, as was displayed last night when he yanked starter Rick Porcello after only throwing 82 pitches.  Instead of perhaps letting his young pitcher work himself out of trouble, he allowed the bullpen (which is nothing short of awful this season) to cough up the lead, letting the game go into extra innings.  Sure, Brennan Boesch, who had a great night last night, came through last night in the top of the 10th with the game winning hit.  What I'm saying is it didn't need to come to that.

I will also say that Daniel Schlereth, who's had a rocky season out of the 'pen for the Tigers, looked sharp.  He was supposed to be the lefty specialist out of the bullpen this season, and still needs to be because of the horrid season Phil Coke is experiencing.  Valverde has been Valverde, converting his 31st consecutive save to open the season.  He and his asinine antics can tie the club record held by Willie Hernandez ('84) with his next successful save opportunity.

I shall keep hoping that Leyland figures other things out as we continue along the stretch run, as the Tigers play the Royals in the second game of the series, starting the day with a 4 game lead over second-place Cleveland.  It would be beneficial for this now .500 road team to maintain that margin before starting a series against the Indians on Tuesday.