The 2011 edition of the Detroit Tigers was looking to break through for a division title, something unseen in Detroit since 1987. The 2009 club had lost the division in a Game 163 heartbreaker and only managed a break-even 81-81 mark in 2010. The team was heavy in talent in 2011 but a rotation featuring Justin Verlander as the Ace still needed some support.
The Tigers had an up and coming stud in Max Scherzer and homegrown Rick Porcello behind Verlander. But GM Dave Dombrowski’s club was also giving journeyman Brad Penny 31 starts that season. Reliever Phil Coke was unconvincingly masquerading as a starter for 14 starts.