ALDS 2012: Athletics to start Brett Anderson in Game 3

Facing a possible elimination on Tuesday night, the Oakland Athletics plan to send left-hander Brett Anderson to the mound to square off against Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers in Game 3 according to Jane Lee of MLB.com.

The 24-year-old Anderson has only pitched six times in 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the middle of last season, but has miraculously only given up two earned runs over his last 26 innings of work. Though Anderson was chased early by Detroit hitters in his season debut back on Sept. 19, the big 6'4 lefty did manage to hold the Tigers scoreless over five and 2/3 innings in his only previous appearance against Detroit.

Anderson will be opposed by Detroit right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who finished the year out strong after weathering through a few minor hiccups along the way. Sanchez was rather surprisingly given the Game 3 nod over teammate Max Scherzer by manager Jim Leyland early on, but is 2-0 with a 1.38 earned-run average over his career in the month of October. If the Tigers are unable to wrap up the five-game set on Tuesday, Scherzer would face Oakland's A.J. Griffin in Game 4.

As expected, Brett Anderson to start Game 3 tomorrow. A.J. Griffin to start potential Game 4. #Athletics

— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) October 8, 2012