Already looking ahead to the team's second straight postseason appearance, the Detroit Tigers are considering making some lineup changes for Wednesday's season finale against the Kansas City Royals. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera will play if he wants to, though, as manager Jim Leyland told reporters recently.
The team will be making at least one lineup move for Wednesday's game, as starter Max Scherzer has been scratched with an ankle injury, which he suffered while celebrating the team's division title on Monday. Luis Marte, a reliever with 19 career MLB innings under his belt, will make his first career start against Kansas City.
The 26-year-old Marte has pitched well this season, so there's reason to believe that he can perform in the season finale. Over 19 relief innings this season, he's posted a 3.32 ERA with 17 strikeouts and seven walks. He hasn't been a full-time starter since 2009 at the Double-A level, though.
Cabrera all but has the first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 locked up, but he could need to add a home run to his current total of 44 if Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton hits his 44th homer of the season during Texas' season finale on Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday night's game starts at 7:10 p.m. CT from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.