Tigers may use Scherzer in relief in Game 4

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer might relieve in the seventh or eighth inning of Game 4 Tuesday night against the Oakland A's if the Detroit Tigers have the lead, manager Jim Leyland said before the game.

The Tigers trail the best-of-five series 2 games to 1 and face elimination.

"Scherzer will see if his arm is really good before game, then possibly he would pitch. If not, I won't take a chance," Leyland told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

If Scherzer pitches Tuesday night in the American League Division Series, then Justin Verlander would replace him as the Game 5 starter Thursday night in Oakland.

If Scherzer doesn't pitch Tuesday night, he would start Game 5, and Verlander then would be available to pitch in relief.