MLB: Ranking top SP combos for AL contenders

Sep 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) warms up before the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) warms up before the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Detroit Tigers – RHP Max Scherzer and LHP David Price

I know, kind of crazy to rank these two second on the list, especially with all the hardware they have between them. Scherzer probably isn’t winning another Cy Young this year, but he’s still been terrific, breaking the 200-innings pitched barrier for the second time in his career (last year was the first), and he’s been worth 5.1 fWAR while posting a 3.19 ERA in his 200.1 innings pitched.

The only issue with Scherzer is minor, and that’s that he doesn’t finish out games himself (he had his first complete game, a shutout, this year). A lot of this is because he racks up huge strikeout totals (he has 232 this year, just eight away from his 2013 total), but when one considers the Detroit Tigers have an inconsistent bullpen, it’s worth mentioning.

David Price is another elite-level pitcher, and he’s having another great season, posting 5.4 fWAR and a 3.26 ERA in 226.2 innings pitched. He’s been good, but slightly inconsistent himself since coming over from the Rays in a surprise deadline deal on July 31. Most of the inconsistency can really be pinpointed to two starts – a 2-inning debacle against the Yankees on August 27, and allowing five runs in a loss despite pitching into the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants on September 6. Still, Tigers fans shouldn’t be overly concerned, as Price is still an ace, and does have postseason pitching experience.