Tigers drop ALDS Game 5 lineup and get positive Kerry Carpenter update

Here we go, Detroit Tigers fans. This is the day. Game 5 of the ALDS is here and Tarik Skubal will be taking the mound against the Guardians in Cleveland. A trip to the ALCS to face the Yankees is on the line.

Admittedly, however, things were really not looking good about 24 hours ago. Detroit had been dealing with injuries to Kerry Carpenter and Jake Rogers — both of whom have been integral to this team's run.

Not only that, but the start time for Saturday's game go moved up due to weather concerns in Cleveland, which gave Carpenter and Rogers less rest time. After blowing Game 4 in agonizing fashion, it wasn't feeling great to hold onto all of that negativity.

Thankfully, Saturday morning brought some good news. Again, Skubal is on the mound. It's the worst possible matchup for the Guardians to face on a day like this. The bullpen got a day of rest. The squad is ready to go.

Rogers is in the starting lineup, so the concerns with his wrist weren't as bad as initially expected. Carpenter isn't starting, but there's a positive development on his front too.

Tigers drop ALDS Game 5 lineup and get positive Kerry Carpenter update

Carpenter seems to be available to come off the bench to pinch hit, much like he did in Game 2 when he belted that clutch, game-winning homer off Emmanuel Clase in the ninth inning.

Manager AJ Hinch expressed confidence in Carpenter's ability to power through despite not being 100% because of the "adrenaline" that comes with a do-or-die Game 5. It also helped that Carpenter was seen "walking with authority" in the Tigers clubhouse and headed for the cage to get some reps in.

Detroit is going with Justyn-Henry Malloy in the DH spot on Saturday, and he'll be leading things off. And that's probably the right move. Malloy is 5-for-7 with two walks and just one strikeout during this postseason. He's a righty, so his presence in the lineup for the start of the game against (former Tiger!) left-hander Matthew Boyd is the shrewd way to play the matchups.

Hinch seemingly has the right plan for the Tigers' most important game of the season. Skubal on the mound. A red-hot Malloy against a lefty starter. And Carpenter in his back pocket for later in the game against a righty-heavy bullpen. Go Tigs.