The Detroit Tigers made an unexpected choice as a starting pitcher for the first match of the ALDS.
Rookie Troy Melton, who mainly worked as a multi-inning Reliever or an opener after the trade deadline, gets the start. Melton appeared one during the Wildkardronde, which meant four runs on three hits, including a home run, and a walk while he records one to take the loss in game 2.
The Tigers’ decision to turn to the 24-year-old rookie also reflects on the performance of General Manager Jeff Greenberg at the Handelsdeadline. Melton made two starts prior to the deadline when the Tigers took over Chris Paddack and Charlie Morton and bump the rookie against the bullpen.
Troy Melton Start emphasizes the trade dead of Detroit Tigers
Those movements turned out to be disastrous. Paddack made six starts before he was sent to the Bullpen, mainly served as a mop world and made a final start on September 28. He placed a disappointing 6.32 ERA and a 1,298 whip over his 47 innings in Minnesota, allowing 14 home runs to be allowed while he issued 10 walks with 29 strikeouts.
Morton was even worse. He placed a miserable 7.09 ERA and a 1,602 Whip over 39.1 innings, and threw out 47 batters with 23 walks before he was designated for allocation on September 21. Paddack and Morton were Two of the five worst pitchers of the Tigers In 2025 despite the throwing of only 86.1 innings between them.
Melton meanwhile performed admirable in his first taste of Major League promotion. He placed a 2.76 ERA and a 1.007 Whip in 45.2 innings, and threw 36 batters with 15 free runs.
The Tigers hope that Melton’s Playoff implosion was only a blip on the radar. If he performs well in his outing on Saturday, he will further underline the mistakes of Detroit at the Handelsdeadline.
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