Notes: Davis out, Kelly in; Porcello hoping to pitch Game 4

By foxsports
Published

DETROIT -- With the cold weather in Detroit, the Tigers aren't taking any chances with Rajai Davis.

Davis, who has been dealing with a strain in his pelvis, was not in the starting lineup Sunday for Game 3 of the ALDS. 

Instead, Don Kelly was playing center field and batting ninth.

"Raj was still a little bit sore," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "So with the cool weather, I think rather than having him start the game and maybe have to pull him out, I'd rather be able to use him later in the game maybe, especially with their left-handed bullpen. So he's available. He certainly could pinch hit. He's still feeling it a little bit."

If Davis did pinch hit and was able to get on base, Ausmus wasn't sure if someone would need to run for him.

"He's still getting treatment," Ausmus said. "It would probably depend on how he feels going into the game."

The other option for center field was Ezequiel Carrera.

"I just, gut instinct, decided to go with Donnie," Ausmus said. "Defensively they're about the same. Zeke runs a little bit better. Donnie obviously has a little more experience."

ORIOLES START YOUNG

After starting Alejandro De Aza in left field the first two games, the Baltimore Orioles had former Tiger Delmon Young in left field for Game 3.

De Aza is 2-for-6 lifetime off Tigers starter David Price, while Young is 5-for-16 with a home run.

PORCELLO EAGER TO START GAME 4

Ausmus reiterated that Rick Porcello would start Game 4, if the Tigers are able to win Game 3.

Max Scherzer will not pitch on short rest and will likely not be in the bullpen for Game 3.

"It would probably have to be an extra-inning type game if we needed another arm," Ausmus said.

As for Porcello, he has not started a postseason game since 2011 against the Texas Rangers. If he does get to pitch, it will be another elimination game for the Tigers.

"This is what it's all about," Porcello said. "This is why you play. You work hard in spring training to be able to make the postseason and then have an opportunity to contribute in a positive way for your team.

"I'm going to have an opportunity (Monday) to give us a chance to push to a Game 5 and I'm looking forward to that. I haven't had an opportunity to start a playoff game in a couple of years and I'm definitely looking forward to getting back out there."

Porcello's last two starts of the regular season were not what he had envisioned. 

Against the Royals Sept. 21, Porcello gave up four runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings.

Against the Twins Sept. 26, Porcello gave up four runs on six hits in just 3 2/3 innings.

"He didn't have his best outings the last few times but he's had an excellent year," Ausmus said. "As I've said all year long with Rick, if he's down in the zone with the sinker, he gets outs and he's effective. I'm well aware of what he's done the last few weeks but I'm also well aware of what he's done for six months. I'm not concerned about him at all."

In his last 10 regular season starts, Porcello was 2-7 with a 4.31 ERA.

But overall, Porcello had the best season of his career, going 15-13 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. 

Porcello also threw 204 2/3 innings, passing the 200-inning mark for the first time in his career. His previous high was 182 innings in 2011.

"Throughout September, I kind of tapered my bullpens down and I wasn't throwing as many pitches because I knew my innings were up more than they had been in the past," Porcello said. "But at this point now, I feel good and I'm throwing as much as I possibly can off the mound to stay sharp."

For his career, Porcello is 3-5 with a 4.28 ERA in nine starts against the Orioles.

"The biggest thing is they don't stop fighting," Porcello said. "A lot of them are very aggressive, a lot of them can hurt you with doubles and home runs so you really gotta keep the ball down on 'em. It's definitely one of those teams where you can't afford to make a lot of mistake. They hit mistakes and they do damage with mistakes. They don't just take base hits, they drive the ball. So you gotta keep the ball down.

"A lot of the same things get these guys out as other teams, but they've been capitalizing on mistakes and that's why they've been so good lately."

GOOD STAT FOR TIGERS?

The Orioles have never swept an ALDS.

They won in four against Cleveland in 1996 and against Seattle in 1997.

The Orioles also lost in five to the New York Yankees in 2012.

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