@ Comerica Park
Game 1: Friday, September 11th, 7:05 PM ET.
Probable Pitchers: Brian Tallet, LHP (6-9, 5.31) Vs. Nate Robertson, LHP (1-1, 5.40)
Blue Jays: It appears as though Tallet will be in the rotation for the rest of the season after serving as both a starter (21 games) and as a reliever (12) this season. He was pressed into a starter's role early in the season because of injuries in the rotation. Tallet beat the Yankees in his previous start to end a five-game losing string, four as a starter. It was his first win since June 23. Against New York on Sunday, he allowed five runs in five innings and fell behind, 5-4, but the Blue Jays picked him up with an eight-run bottom of the fifth in a 14-8 win. He probably pitched better than the five runs showed. He gave up three in the third with the hardest-hit ball by Mark Teixeira that hit Tallet's left leg. Tallet was able to retrieve the ball and get the out at first. He said it should not affect him in his next start. He has pitched twice this season against the Tigers, as a reliever, and had a clean inning each time, with two strikeouts in the second outing.
Tigers: It essentially came down to Robertson and Armando Galarraga to see who would get the Tigers' final rotation spot. After Galarraga gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Rays on Saturday, Robertson became the guy. The 32-year-old has only made two starts this season, but those two were good ones, as he combined to give up just one earned run in 10 innings (a 0.90 ERA). He will be facing the Blue Jays on seven days' rest. Robertson's pitched six shutout innings in his last start, against the Indians, giving up four hits and walking two while striking out four. Robertson is 3-3 with a 5.00 ERA in 10 career games (seven starts) against Toronto.
Game 2: Saturday, September 12th, 7:05 PM ET.
Probable Pitchers: Scott Richmond, RHP (6-9, 4.76) Vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP (12-6, 3.10)
Blue Jays: As Richmond tries to earn a spot in next year's rotation and searches for his first win since June 24, he continues to be plagued by one bad inning. Against the Minnesota Twins on Monday it was the first, when his pitches found too much of the plate and he gave up five runs. After allowing a second-inning double, he retired 13 in a row and lasted six innings, giving up one more run in a 6-3 loss. The six earned runs were a career high. He is 0-5, 7.15 ERA, in his past seven starts. He missed most of July with biceps tendinitis but says that has not been a factor, but patches of poor pitch location have been the problem. He has not pitched against Detroit in his career.
Tigers: Jackson's competitive nature was in full swing in a victory against the Rays on Sunday. Opposing Wade Davis, who was making his Major League debut and gave up just one run in seven innings, the ex-Ray kept his team in the game before Brandon Inge rewarded him with a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth. Jackson finished with three runs on six hits in eight innings. Going into the eighth, the 25-year-old -- who turns 26 on Wednesday -- had logged 106 pitches, but he pitched through the frame in order to keep it a two-run game and eventually qualify for the win. Jackson is 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA against the American League East this year, but he has just two wins in his past 10 road starts.
Game 3: Sunday, September 13th, 1:05 PM ET.
Probable Pitchers: Ricky Romero, LHP (12-7, 4.14) Vs. Rick Porcello, RHP (12-8, 4.26)
Blue Jays: After two losses in a row -- to the Red Sox and the Yankees, respectively -- Romero earned a victory over the Twins on Tuesday despite falling behind 3-0 after three innings. He lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowed seven hits, three walks ands struck out four and benefited from Toronto's six-run sixth. With 12 victories, Romero is tied for third on the franchise's list for wins by a rookie. Left-hander Jeff Musselman had 12 in 1987. Romero still needs to learn to finish off hitters when he is ahead 0-2 or 1-2. He made his Major League debut against the Tigers on April 9 and earned the victory in a 6-2 game with six innings, seven hits, two runs, one home run, two walks and five strikeouts.
Tigers: Though many expected Porcello to be ahead of the curve when he made the Tigers rotation out of Spring Training, few could have imagined he'd end up so critical to the Tigers' success this season when he made his Major League debut against the Blue Jays back on April 9 at Rogers Centre. He lost that game in part on a couple of wayward offspeed pitches, but he has been much more of a power pitcher lately, using his fastball early and often to set up his sinker. Another win would give Porcello the highest win total in a season by a pitcher age 20 or younger since Dwight Gooden won 24 in 1985.
Game 4: Monday, September 14th, 7:05 PM ET.
Probable Pitchers: David Purcey, LHP (0-2, 7.01) Vs. To be announced
