Leyland Won't Give Verlander The All-Star Treatment
Some people are getting worked up because of the possibility Justin Verlander might not be able to pitch in the July 12 All-Star Game.
Wonder if any of the folks getting their britches scrunched are the same ones who would rail on Detroit management if the Tigers missed the playoffs by one game, the game Verlander didn't pitch the Sunday before the All-Star Game?
"I certainly hope that Justin Verlander will be recognized for the All-Star Game," Leyland said. "(But) we don't run our business for anybody pitching one or two innings -- or maybe not pitching at all -- in the All-Star Game.
"We just can't do business like that."
Detroit had Thursday off, breaking up strings of 20 and 17 games in a row, but Leyland never even gave thought to switching his pitching plans and having Verlander pitch Friday instead of Saturday.
Unless something changes, keeping Verlander in line with the other pitchers means he'll make his last start before the break on the Sunday before the All-Star Game.
That means, under baseball rules, he won't be able to pitch in the game that will decide which league gets home field advantage in the World Series.
Leyland didn't consult with Verlander on his decision, but he was pleased to note his player's response.
"I'd have to make it first," Verlander said. "The All-Star Game is a show, more or less. I know it means home field advantage for the World Series, but it's still not treated that way by Major League Baseball, with the way they do the fan voting. It's not taken seriously.
"The only thing that is serious is winning games for the Tigers. Would it be nice to go out there and pitch (in the All-Star Game)? Yes. But what's more important? Obviously, this ... for the Tigers."
Still, many folks would like to see Verlander's start switched this weekend or have him skipped in the last game before the break so he could showcase his talents.
"I know people are going to talk about it," Leyland said. "This is just the way it worked out. If it had worked out another way, I would have been thrilled to death.
"I'd have a hard time explaining to my owner that I'm going to keep this guy from pitching so he can maybe pitch one inning in the All-Star Game."
Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
