According to John Lowe of the Free Press, Max Scherzer is scheduled to make his final start of the season on Wednesday in the season finale.  But the Tigers hope that this will not be an issue, because if they clinch the playoffs before then, Scherzer will be skipped in the rotation to give his shoulder more rest.

Jim Leyland said that he will not pitch Scherzer if he isn’t 100% healthy, playoff spot or not.  If Max isn’t able to go or if the Tigers clinch before Wednesday the last day duty will go to Drew Smyly.

Scherzer said he felt good after throwing off of flat ground on yesterday and is scheduled to have a full-speed bullpen session before the game today in Kansas City.  After all of that and if he feels good on Tuesday that will be when they decide if Max is good to go or if he should be rested.

If the Tigers do make the playoffs Scherzer would start would be next Sunday or next Wednesday, which is game two or four of the opening round.  Scherzer was asked about his availability for the playoffs and had this to say according to Lowe:

I do feel confident about being 100% for the playoffs. I’m getting close to being able to pitch in a game again. Obviously, I’ve got to be able to get on the mound and be able to sustain a bullpen and be able to recover from a bullpen.

If the Tigers are going to have any success in the playoffs they will need Scherzer, and will be tough to knock out of any series behind JV, Max and Fister.

So is Max the key to the Tigers playoff run or do you trust Anibal Sanchez to keep pitching well enough to steal a game if necessary?  Let us know at @DSBloggers on Twitter or on Facebook or in the comments below to tell us what you, the fans, think.