The Tigers’ decision to start Tyler Holton in back-to-back postseason games is certainly unconventional, but it reflects their confidence in him as a flexible, high-leverage arm. Holton’s ability to handle any situation, as A.J. Hinch mentioned, makes him a valuable tool in their bullpen strategy, and the success against the Astros only boosts that trust.
While he’s unlikely to go deep into the game, using Holton to open the series gives Detroit the flexibility to deploy their bullpen early, and the extra off days will help mitigate any concerns about fatigue.
On the other side, the Guardians are going with Tanner Bibee, who had a solid regular season but faces the pressure of making his postseason debut. His numbers against Detroit suggest that this matchup could go either way, but his nerves might play a role early on. With Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal lined up for Game 2, the Tigers seem to have a strong plan in place, and taking the opener would put them in an excellent position heading back to Detroit.
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