MLB Playoffs 2011: Justin Verlander Must Go 9 Innings for Tigers to Win Series

The Detroit Tigers season is hanging precariously in the balance right now. They are down 3-1 to the Texas Rangers, and it all is hanging on the right arm of Justin Verlander.

We knew that the Tigers needed Verlander in order to win this series, but I do not think anybody expected it to be such a desperate need.

It is a simple equation for the Tigers. They cannot lose a game from here on out in this series.

That is already a hard enough proposition, especially against the powerful lineup that the Rangers have. Additionally, the Tigers bullpen is spent, and the importance of Verlander has almost tripled.

He was already the most important player for Detroit, but now he is all they have left.

With the bullpen being as used up as it is, the Tigers need Verlander to throw a complete game against the Rangers today.

Manager Jim Leyland does have lefty Phil Coke, who has not been used much, and according Jeff Caplan of ESPN, he hopes to use just two pitchers today:

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Tigers manager Jim Leyland ruled workhorse relievers Joaquin Benoit and closer Jose Valverde out for today's crucial Game 5, a potential damaging blow to Detroit's hopes of staying alive. 

"Truthfully," Leyland said, "I want to try to get through this game today with Verlander and Coke." 

Leyland wasn't smiling. 

Detroit's skipper is putting full faith in ace Justin Verlander, a 24-game winner who has proven to be mortal so far this postseason, can take it deep enough to hand off to Phil Coke to finish the job and return the series back to Texas. 

Coke has allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings of work in the ALCS. He retired both batters he faced in Game 4. 

Verlander is just hoping he can pitch a game without it being interrupted and then shortened by rain. He pitched eight innings in Game 3 of the ALDS, but lost a 4-2 lead before the Tigers' offense came through for the 5-4 lead. Verlander wore his heart on his sleeve that performance and threw 120 pitches. 

Benoit has thrown four innings over the last three games, including two in Game 4. Valverde also pitched in the last three games totaling 4 1/3 inning. That burden caught up to him in the top of the 11th Wednesday night as the Rangers struck for four runs, including Nelson Cruz's three-run blast that busted the game open.

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Personally, I think the Tigers cannot even afford to use Coke.

Verlander needs to go the whole game.

He is not going to get another shot to pitch in this series, and he may not get another shot to pitch this year, so it only makes sense for him to go out there and give it his all.

If he wins, the Tigers will have gotten valuable rest for a pitching rotation and bullpen that desperately needs it. More importantly, they would still have a shot to win the series.

If he loses, at least the Tigers can say they went out and gave it their best shot.

Verlander is the Tigers best pitcher, and he has got to give them everything he has if they have any chance of winning.