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The Detroit Tigers use the bullpen to neutralize José Ramírez

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The Detroit Tigers use the bullpen to neutralize José Ramírez

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Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made his first lineup change in Game 3 of the ALDS to respond to AJ Hinch's first decision to the Detroit Tigers.

Hinch retired right-hander Keider Montero after retiring the first three Cleveland hitters in just six pitches. The Tigers' manager turned to left-hander Brant Hurter for the first time to face the middle of Cleveland's batting order.

Hurter gave up two singles before recording an out, but escaped the jam with three straight flyouts, including one for the second out of pinch-hitter Jhonkensy Noel, who replaced Will Brennan in right field before Brennan made a plate appearance . To start the third inning, Vogt went to the bench again, bringing in right-hander David Fry to replace left-hander Kyle Manzardo, but Fry struck out to end the inning.

“I can’t imagine it,” catcher Jake Rogers said when asked how frustrating the Tigers’ pitching approach must be. “Montero has pitched nine innings this year (in a start against the Colorado Rockies on Sept. 10). When he starts, you just have to prepare for him, and then suddenly here's Hurter against a bunch of lefties. I don't know if you want left-handed people to see him, and then there's Noel, who takes Brennan to task. I'm sure that's difficult.

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The bullpen strategy that became the Tigers' saving grace when ace Tarik Skubal was unavailable the past two months worked once again. Detroit shut out Cleveland for the second straight game (the largest single-postseason tie in franchise history) by using six pitchers in nine innings. Hinch used the lineup to take away platoon advantages from Cleveland's lineup. The 3-0 win in Game 3 of the ALDS gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead, one win away from an ALCS appearance.

Hurter secured the bulk reliever title on Wednesday by batting second and throwing 3⅓ innings. He was the only Tigers pitcher to face the same batter more than once, with a second turn against the middle of Cleveland's lineup, and scattered five hits to prevent runs.

Hinch said the start of the game wasn't scripted, but rather played out in such a way that he could immediately turn to the bullpen so Hurter could face Josh Naylor.

“Keider had no idea at first and responded positively with an incredible first inning, with a lot of energy in the stadium and an atmosphere that was second to none,” Hinch explained. “So if he can get three points up and three points down, we have Hurter as the starting player at Naylor.”

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The relievers have an idea of ​​when they might be used, but must remain vigilant in the left-field bullpen at Comerica Park in case Hinch calls for them at some point.

“When I saw the lineup that they had set up and kind of knew our plan, I kind of knew it was going to go that way,” Hurter said. “And it's pretty cool that AJ was able to do that and get a lot of guys off his roster, burn a lot of guys just because it was Keider's turn and I came in.”

Next up was right-hander Beau Brieske, who was used in every role from starter to closer during the Tigers' run. Brieske, who had a save in Game 2, continued his strong start to the postseason. He relieved Hurter with one out in the fifth inning with runners on the first and second innings, struck out Fry with a slider in the dirt and triggered a flyout by José Ramírez to end the threat. From there, Brieske threw a scoreless sixth pitch and got the first hit in the seventh pitch before his day was over.

“Beau has a really great opportunity,” Hinch said. “In a perfect world I would like to field these guys, clean innings, big lead, deep breathing and attack guys that they can keep up with and that never happens, especially in October. So throwing strikes is key. “Being at your best from the first pitch.”

One of Hinch's preferred high-leverage right-handers, Brieske has now thrown 5⅓ scoreless innings in four relief appearances in five postseason games, with six strikeouts, no hits allowed and two walks.

The strategy involved making sure Ramírez, an All-Star who hit .279 with 39 home runs in the regular season, didn't see the same pitcher twice. It worked because Ramírez made it 0-3 with an intentional walk.

“Part of the way our squad is built and the reason we maximize our strengths is that we can do a lot of different things to the hitters,” Hinch said. “It's not easy to compete against four different players, especially because I took a hit from Ramírez, to come to your question. But you need the guys who can do it, throw strikes and hit the strike zone and go right after guys and get them big outs.”

Left-hander Sean Guenther was Hinch's next call-up. He recorded one out before putting two on base with a walk allowed and a single, and Hinch yanked him back to a right-hander in Will Vest. Fry turned on a fastball from Vest and sent a screamer down the third base line, but Matt Vierling was able to make a jumping grab to prevent the run.

Vest pitched a scoreless eighth and finished his performance by knocking out Lane Thomas at the knees with a checkered swing on a fastball. Vest waited for the home plate umpire's call before bursting back into the dugout screaming and cheering and receiving a standing ovation.

“It was electric,” Vest said. “That's kind of what you dream of as a reliever – being in the big spots, getting a big hit to end the inning. And just pass it on to the next player.”

Next man up was the Tigers' left-handed Swiss Army Knife, Tyler Holton, the Game 1 starter. He didn't record an out in that game, but on Wednesday he went 1-2-3 with two groundouts and a strikeout in the ninth inning gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the series.

“Everyone knows the roles and pockets and likes when to expect (his name to be called),” Holton said of how the bullpen stays ready. “…It's just preparation, so everyone's doing their job and being prepared if they could be.”

Much of that preparation comes from Hinch, pitching coach Chris Fetter and Rogers behind the plate. Holton said Rogers works with every pitcher in the bullpen and rotation, not just the six used Wednesday, is paramount to the Tigers being able to play that way and get wins.

“He's able to think about each one of us individually in each situation because everyone hits differently,” Holton said. “But all of our catchers that are in there, especially on bullpen days, are a testament to who we have behind the plate calling signs, because that’s impressive.”

And the coaching staff has full confidence that each pitcher will do what is asked of them in every game situation.

“Our guys understand that they're put in this position because every single person who wears the (Old) English 'D' knows they can do their job and they continue to respond,” Hinch said.

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press It covers the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22and email him at [email protected].

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