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Brad Ausmus: Max Scherzer won’t start Game 4 against Orioles

By Phil Watson

Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) talks with starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) in the seventh inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) talks with starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) in the seventh inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brad Ausmus, the Detroit Tigers’ rookie manager, said he won’t alter his announced rotation should the Tigers survive Game 3 against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday.

It could all end up being a moot point, depending on what happens in Game 3 of the American League Division Series between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, but should the Tigers survive to see Game 4 on Monday, right-hander Max Scherzer will not get the ball for Detroit.

Manager Brad Ausmus told Chris Iott of MLive.com that Rick Porcello will get the start in Game 4.

Ausmus was emphatic if not eloquent when confirming that Scherzer would not be moved up from his scheduled Game 5 start.

"“No.”"

Well, OK then.

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Porcello had his best season of his six-year career in 2014, going 15-13 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.231 WHIP in 32 appearances, 31 of them starts, covering a career-high 204.2 innings.

But the 25-year-old faltered down the stretch, going 0-4 with a 6.20 ERA and 1.904 WHIP in five September starts covering 24.2 innings.

He led the American League and tied for the major-league lead with three shutouts this season, matching Henderson Alvarez of the Miami Marlins and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Porcello had a tough second half, in fact, going 3-8 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.301 WHIP in 85.1 innings.

Scherzer, the reigning Cy Young Award winner in the AL, took the loss in Game 1 at Baltimore on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts in 7.1 innings.

On the season, Scherzer was 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.175 WHIP in 33 starts and 220.1 innings, striking out 252 hitters.

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