Tigers announce World Series rotation

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has announced his team’s playoff rotation for the World Series, reports Jason Beckof MLB.com:

"There's no secret to my rotation. My rotation is going to be [Justin] Verlander, [Doug] Fister, [Anibal] Sanchez and [Max] Scherzer," Leyland said. "There's no secret to that, unless they're scouting this simulated game."

There’s little surprise, as Leyland alluded to in his comments, as the Tigers will use the same general rotation they used during the first two rounds of the playoffs. Right-hander Justin Verlander will pitch Game 1 and will be followed by three other righties; Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer.

Entering the 2012 postseason, Verlander had a reputation of struggling during the playoffs and not coming up big when it mattered most. He’s done basically all he can to shake that this fall, as he’s posted an ERA of 0.74 over his three appearances. The 29-year-old has allowed 10 hits and five walks with 25 strikeouts over 24 1/3 innings.

While Verlander has been phenomenal, all Tigers’ starters have pitched extremely well this postseason. Fister, Sanchez and Scherzer have combined to allow only five earned runs over 37 2/3 innings.