Tigers Pregame: Detroit looks to avoid elimination in Game 4

Doug Fister will start Game 4 for Detroit (Photo courtesy of the Detroit Tigers)
Doug Fister will start Game 4 for Detroit (Photo courtesy of the Detroit Tigers)

Straily (10-8, 3.96) vs. Fister (14-9, 3.67)

On the brink of elimination, the star-studded Detroit Tigers offense looks to produce for the first time all series in Game 4 at Comerica Park. The Tigers have averaged 1.8 runs per game over their past 10 games dating back to September 22nd.

The Tigers’ lineup is identical to yesterday’s lineup as Torii Hunter (shoulder) and Miguel Cabrera (groin) will both play.

“There are no tricks,” Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland said of a potential lineup shuffle. “This is who we are.”

Leyland said Game 1 starter Max Scherzer will also be available to pitch in relief, leaving Justin Verlander to start Game 5, if necessary.

“It’s a possibility I would put Max in for maybe innings 7 and 8 if we were ahead and Doug (Fister) was out of gas.”

With a 2-1 series lead, Oakland is looking to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2006 and only the second time since 1992. Though the A’s could lose Tuesday and still clinch Thursday in Oakland, manager Bob Melvin insists the team’s focus is completely on Game 4.

“We really don’t look past today’s game,” Melvin said. “We’re going to go out there and play like this is the last game and I think that’s the only way to look at it.

Dan Straily will start on the mound for Oakland against Detroit’s Doug Fister. Straily is 3-1 in his last five starts with an ERA of 2.10. Fister started six games for the Tigers in September, going 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA.

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