Tyler

Holton

Skubal will be on four days’ rest Sunday. The Tigers will be well rested for the Guardians after using Brant Hurter for just 29 pitches on Wednesday and not needing to turn to Reese Olson at any point.

Holton will throw anywhere from one to three innings depending on how well he does against the Astros lineup. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch described Detroit’s pitching plan before the series as pitching chaos. Holton will start the chaos in Game 2 as the Tigers look to knock off the Astros.

Tyler Holton got the win for working hitless eighth and ninth innings. Holton is clearly the reliever the Tigers trust most and rightfully so, but Foley continues to get most of the saves. He has 10 in 16 appearances since Aug. 15.

Holton gave up a two-out triple to Gunnar Henderson in a 1-0 game before rebounding to strike out Anthony Santander. The appearance tonight was Holton’s 60th of the year. He’s allowed 21 earned runs over 85 2/3 innings on the season. Last year, he made 59 appearances and allowed 20 earned runs in 85 1/3 innings. Quite simply, he’s been one of MLB’s most valuable relievers for a second straight year.

Holton’s save was his seventh of the season. Jason Foley is the Tigers’ closer, but Holton will continue to get save opportunities in the right matchups. He’ll also start games as an opener. It’s a fluid role as Tigers manager AJ Hinch uses him as Swiss army knife. Holton is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings.

Holton got the call on Saturday in the ninth to protect a one-run lead. He worked around a walk, closing out the game with his sixth save of the season. The 28-year-old left-hander has posted a 2.44 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 60/14 K/BB ratio across 77 1/3 innings.

Holton came on to face the heart of the Mariners’ lineup, and he responded by striking out Jorge Polanco and Randy Arozarena before getting Cal Raleigh on a fly ball to right field. He then became the beneficiary as the Tigers walked it off in the home half of the inning. The 28-year-old southpaw is having a terrific season, posting a 2.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and a 53/13 K/BB ratio over 67 2/3 innings to go along with five wins and four saves. He’s also expected to open for the Tigers on Thursday.

Holton came on to get the final out after Beau Brieske gave up a run and put the tying run on base, and he struck out a pinch-hitting Mitch Garver to end the game. It’s the fourth save of the season for Holton, and he could see a few more chances before the season ends.

Holton operated as the opener for the Tigers on Saturday. He kept Detroit off the board over three perfect frames on 31 pitches, striking out three batters. The 28-year-old left-hander now holds a 2.70 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 50/12 K/BB ratio across 63 1/3 innings.

It’ll be another opener appearance for Holton on Saturday as he continues to excel this season, reeling off 13 consecutive scoreless appearances for the Tigers dating back to June 29. Given the abbreviated nature of the outings, his fantasy appeal is strictly limited to extremely deep mixed leagues and AL-only formats.