Leyland Holding Onto Ace Before Playing His Hand

It wouldn't be surprising to see Jim Leyland run his decision on whether to start Justin Verlander against Cleveland into the middle of next week.

And a key factor in Leyland's decision whether to start Verlander twice against the Indians or not at all could be entirely a function of the distance between the teams in the American League standings.

Detroit has a weekend set in Kansas City, a day off Monday, then three games in Cleveland and Baltimore.

Fitting newcomer Doug Fister into the rotation pushed starts by Brad Penny, a 5-2 loser to Texas on Thursday in yet another day start, and Rick Porcello back a day each.

Porcello would get another bump back if Leyland decides he wants Verlander pitching Thursday at Cleveland rather than Friday at Baltimore. Leyland likes to tinker with his rotation as little as possible, as a rule, preferring to move everybody back a day rather than disrupt the rhythm of one pitcher getting used to following another.

The other factor: Leyland sets up his rotation for specific reasons. There's a 1-2-3-4-5 pecking order in play, but often times he sets up his rotation to take advantage of the schedule.

If Cleveland is in second place, Leyland might want Verlander to start Thursday against the Indians so he can start against them in a rematch the following weekend, after series with Baltimore and Minnesota.

If Verlander starts Friday against Baltimore he won't be able to do that, unless there's a rainout.

But if Detroit can get its lead over Cleveland up to five or six games, Leyland might decide it's worth it to keep his preferred rotation intact.

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