Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland does not need to turn in his American League Division Series roster until he hands in his lineup card Saturday night prior to Game 1.

There is still plenty of work to do to finalize who will be on that roster, but Leyland made a few things known Tuesday afternoon, one day after the Tigers clinched the Central Division title and qualified for the postseason.


Leyland said that -- as expected -- Justin Verlander would start Game 1 and that the rotation would also include Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez. Of course, the Tigers would need another starter if Scherzer is unable to pitch or if a rainout forced the series to be compressed.

Leyland was asked if his starting rotation makes the Tigers a dangerous team in the playoffs.

"I don't know if dangerous is the right word, but I will say this," Leyland said. "You feel pretty comfortable as a manager if you can run -- in whatever order you want -- Verlander, Scherzer, Fister, Sanchez. That's pretty good. You certainly don't feel like you're behind the eight ball."

Scherzer has been battling a right shoulder strain but now has a twisted ankle that he suffered Monday night during the on-field celebration after the Tigers clinched their second consecutive division title.

"A lot depends on the Scherzer scenario," Leyland said. "It's pretty obvious that (Drew) Smyly or (Rick) Porcello step into a role if Scherzer can't pitch."

Leyland also mentioned in passing that rookie outfielder Avisail Garcia will be on the ALDS roster.

Leyland recalled a chat he had Monday night after the Tigers clinched the division.

"I told him, 'It's a little bit different than Erie, isn't it?' " Leyland said. "Here's a kid that, if we see a lefty in the first game, he's going to be starting in right field. …

"It's a neat story. Who knows. Here we are, the Central Division champions, and Avisail Garcia could possibly play right field in the first game of the playoffs. You talk about a strange year. It's been a little different."

Leyland said the Tigers would carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players, which is the same setup they used last season. It is worth noting that Leyland included fifth starter Brad Penny on the ALDS roster in 2011 even though the Tigers went with a four-man rotation.

The questions surrounding Scherzer might lead Leyland to carry both Porcello and Smyly. Of course, Leyland might already have planned on carrying both of them even before Scherzer's ankle injury surfaced. It's impossible to tell at this point.

Smyly seems like a lock. With four right-handed starters, a quality left-hander who can pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen is a major commodity. Smyly could also start in a pinch. That would give the Tigers five pitchers.

Jose Valverde, Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel and Phil Coke make nine. The most likely candidates for the remaining two spots would appear to be Al Alburquerque, Brayan Villarreal and Porcello. Darin Downs would be another candidate if the Tigers decide they need another left-hander.

Of course, that assumes that Scherzer will be prepared to pitch in a postseason series in the next week. Leyland said the injury was a slightly twisted ankle -- he said it fell short of being a sprain -- but could not offer a time frame for Scherzer.

If the injury turns out to be more problematic than the Tigers initially believe it is, that could open up a spot in the ALDS rotation for Smyly or Porcello.

Leyland said it was a "remote possibility" that the Tigers could alter their ALDS roster based on their opponent.

The rules for when postseason rosters have to be submitted have changed. In the past, rosters had to be submitted at some point during the day leading up to Game 1. Leyland said now he doesn't have to turn it in until he hands the lineup card to the umpire prior to Game 1.