2012 Detroit Tigers season

The 2012 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 112th season. On October 1, the Tigers clinched the AL Central title, the club's first repeat title since 1934–1935.^[1] They finished the regular season 88–74. They defeated the Oakland Athletics in the American League Divisional Series, 3 games to 2.^[2] It was the Tigers' second consecutive ALDS win. The Tigers went on to sweep the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series^[3] before being swept themselves by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.^[4]

2012 Detroit Tigers
American League champions American League Central champions
League	American League
Division	Central
Ballpark	Comerica Park
City	Detroit, Michigan
Record	88–74 (.543)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	Mike Ilitch
General managers	Dave Dombrowski
Managers	Jim Leyland
Television	Fox Sports Detroit (Mario Impemba, Rod Allen)
Radio	Detroit Tigers Radio Network (Dan Dickerson, Jim Price)
Stats	ESPN.com Baseball Reference
← 2011 Seasons 2013 →

Roster moves

Releases

• On October 29, the Tigers released relief pitcher Joel Zumaya to free agency.^[5]
• On November 1, the Tigers released outfielder Magglio Ordóñez, infielder Carlos Guillén, and starting pitcher Brad Penny to free agency.^[6]
• On December 12, the Tigers released utility infielder Will Rhymes to free agency.^[7]
• On March 12, the Tigers released relief pitcher David Pauley. On March 15, Pauley cleared waivers and became a free agent.^[8]
• On April 26, the Tigers released veteran infielder Brandon Inge after 12 seasons.^[9]

Key injuries

• On December 16, the team announced that relief pitcher Al Alburquerque had surgery on his pitching elbow, to replace a stress fracture.^[10]
• On January 17, it was reported that designated hitter/catcher/infielder Víctor Martínez tore his ACL and needs surgery to repair it.^[11] On March 12, the team placed Martinez on the 60-day disabled list and declared him out for the season.^[12]

Signings and key returns

The Tigers signed free agent first baseman Prince Fielder on January 24.

• On October 28, the Tigers picked up the option on closer José Valverde.^[13]
• On November 18, the Tigers signed catcher Gerald Laird to a one-year contract. Laird had been the Tigers' primary catcher for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.^[14]
• Also on November 18, the club purchased the minor league contracts of pitching prospects Casey Crosby, Tyler Stohr and Matt Hoffman; outfielder Avisaíl García and infielder Hernan Perez.^[15]
• On November 30, the Tigers re-signed second baseman Ramón Santiago to a two-year deal.^[16]
• On December 9, the Tigers announced a one-year deal with relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. There is an option for the 2013 season.^[17]
• On January 16, the Tigers avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Rick Porcello and reliever Phil Coke, signing both to one-year deals.^[18] The following day, the team agreed on one-year deals for starting pitcher Max Scherzer, outfielder Delmon Young and utilityman Don Kelly. This helps the team avoid an arbitration hearing for the 10th year in a row.^[19]
• On January 24, the Tigers signed first baseman Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal.^[20] As a result, Miguel Cabrera moved to third base.^[21]
• On April 20, the Tigers re-acquired pitcher Zach Miner from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash. Miner will report to the AA Erie SeaWolves.^[22]

Trades

• On December 9, the Tigers traded relief pitcher Ryan Perry to the Washington Nationals for fellow reliever Collin Balester.^[23]
• On July 23, the Tigers traded pitcher Jacob Turner and two minor league prospects (catcher Rob Brantly and pitcher Brian Flynn) to the Miami Marlins for starting pitcher Aníbal Sánchez and infielder Omar Infante.^[24]
• On August 6, the Tigers acquired utilityman Jeff Baker from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league players to be named later.^[25] He was traded to the Atlanta Braves on August 31 for a player to be named later.^[26]

Delmon Young's arrest

On April 27, 2012, an intoxicated Delmon Young was arrested for third-degree assault and an "aggravated harassment hate crime" in New York City after a confrontation with a group of Jewish tourists in which he made antisemitic remarks outside of their hotel before a series against the Yankees. Later in the day, Young issued a statement apologizing for his actions. On April 30, Young was suspended without pay for seven games, and ordered to undergo therapy.^[27]

Individual accomplishments

• On September 27, starting pitcher Doug Fister struck out 9 batters in a row, a new American League record. It was just one short of the Major League record of 10 in a row, accomplished by Tom Seaver in 1970.^[28]
• With a .330 average, 44 home runs and 139 RBIs, slugger Miguel Cabrera became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown, leading the American League in all three categories. The last player to accomplish this feat was Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.^[29] He went on to win the 2012 AL Most Valuable Player Award.^[30] He also won this year's AL Hank Aaron Award,^[31] and the AL Silver Slugger Award.^[32]
• Starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer finished first and second among the American League strikeout leaders, with 239 and 231, respectively.^[33] Verlander finished second in a very close AL Cy Young Award race for 2012, collecting 149 points (12 first-place votes) to 153 points (13 first-place votes) for Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price.^[34]
• On October 13, during Game 1 of the ALCS, Delmon Young hit his sixth career post-season home run, setting a new franchise record.^[35] Young later won the ALCS MVP Award.^[36]
• Outfielder Austin Jackson won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award.^[37]

All-Stars

The Tigers sent three players to the All-Star Game: pitcher Justin Verlander (fifth appearance), third baseman Miguel Cabrera (seventh appearance, third with the Tigers), and first baseman Prince Fielder (fourth appearance, first with the Tigers). Fielder was voted in as a starter,^[38] and won the Home Run Derby with 28 home runs, the second time in his career and his first with the Tigers.^[39] Fielder also won a Silver Slugger Award.^[32]

Standings

2012 American League Central

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• t
• e

AL Central

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Detroit Tigers	88	74	.543	—	50‍–‍31	38‍–‍43
Chicago White Sox	85	77	.525	3	45‍–‍36	40‍–‍41
Kansas City Royals	72	90	.444	16	37‍–‍44	35‍–‍46
Cleveland Indians	68	94	.420	20	37‍–‍44	31‍–‍50
Minnesota Twins	66	96	.407	22	31‍–‍50	35‍–‍46

2012 American League playoff teams

• v
• t
• e

Division winners

Team	W	L	Pct.
New York Yankees	95	67	.586
Oakland Athletics	94	68	.580
Detroit Tigers	88	74	.543

• v
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• e

Wild Card teams
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason)

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Texas Rangers	93	69	.574	—
Baltimore Orioles	93	69	.574	—
Tampa Bay Rays	90	72	.556	3
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	89	73	.549	4
Chicago White Sox	85	77	.525	8
Seattle Mariners	75	87	.463	18
Toronto Blue Jays	73	89	.451	20
Kansas City Royals	72	90	.444	21
Boston Red Sox	69	93	.426	24
Cleveland Indians	68	94	.420	25
Minnesota Twins	66	96	.407	27

Game log

Regular season

2012 game log (88–74)
April (11–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 1 April 5 Red Sox W 3–2 Valverde (1–0) Melancon (0–1) 45,027 1–0 2 April 7 Red Sox W 10–0 Below (1–0) Beckett (0–1) 44,710 2–0 3 April 8 Red Sox W 13–12 (11) Below (2–0) Melancon (0–2) 30,788 3–0 4 April 10 Rays W 5–2 Coke (1–0) McGee (0–1) Valverde (1) 22,574 4–0 5 April 11 Rays L 4–2 Shields (1–0) Verlander (0–1) Rodney (3) 28,180 4–1 6 April 12 Rays W 7–2 Balester (1–0) Niemann (0–1) 30,288 5–1 7 April 13 @ White Sox L 5–2 Peavy (1–0) Scherzer (0–1) Santiago (3) 38,676 5–2 8 April 14 @ White Sox L 5–1 Floyd (1–1) Wilk (0–1) 33,025 5–3 9 April 15 @ White Sox W 5–2 Porcello (1–0) Sale (1–1) 25,143 6–3 10 April 16 @ Royals W 3–2 Verlander (1–1) Duffy (1–1) 14,039 7–3 11 April 17 @ Royals W 3–1 Dotel (1–0) Chen (0–1) Valverde (2) 13,851 8–3 12 April 18 @ Royals W 4–3 Scherzer (1–1) Mijares (0–1) Valverde (3) 14,083 9–3 13 April 19 Rangers L 10–3 Darvish (2–0) Wilk (0–2) 30,029 9–4 – April 20 Rangers Postponed (rain). Rescheduled for April 21. 14 April 21 Rangers L 10–4 Harrison (3–0) Porcello (1–1) 41,427 9–5 15 April 21 Rangers W 3–2 Verlander (2–1) Feliz (1–1) Valverde (4) 35,001 10–5 16 April 22 Rangers L 3–2 (11) Ross (3–0) Weber (0–1) Nathan (4) 36,255 10–6 17 April 24 Mariners L 7–4 Vargas (3–1) Scherzer (1–2) League (6) 30,073 10–7 18 April 25 Mariners L 9–1 Hernández (2–1) Wilk (0–3) 28,527 10–8 19 April 26 Mariners L 5–4 Furbush (1–1) Porcello (1–2) League (7) 31,451 10–9 20 April 27 @ Yankees L 7–6 Rivera (1–1) Villarreal (0–1) 41,200 10–10 21 April 28 @ Yankees W 7–5 Smyly (1–0) García (0–2) 44,686 11–10 22 April 29 @ Yankees L 2–6 Sabathia (3–0) Scherzer (1–3) 43,084 11–11 – April 30 Royals Postponed (rain). Rescheduled for September 24.
May (13–16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 23 May 1 Royals W 9–3 Porcello (2–2) Hochevar (2–2) 30,159 12–11 24 May 2 Royals L 3–2 Collins (1–0) Benoit (0–1) Broxton (4) 33,187 12–12 25 May 4 White Sox W 5–4 Valverde (2–0) Thornton (1–1) 33,165 13–12 26 May 5 White Sox L 3–2 Jones (1–0) Valverde (2–1) Reed (1) 42,404 13–13 27 May 6 White Sox W 3–1 Porcello (3–2) Axelrod (0–1) Valverde (5) 39,558 14–13 28 May 7 @ Mariners L 3–2 Delabar (1–0) Dotel (1–1) 14,462 14–14 29 May 8 @ Mariners W 6–4 Verlander (3–1) Millwood (0–4) Valverde (6) 13,455 15–14 30 May 9 @ Mariners L 2–1 Vargas (4–2) Putkonen (0–1) League (8) 15,655 15–15 31 May 10 @ Athletics W 10–6 Scherzer (2–3) Colón (3–3) 11,513 16–15 32 May 11 @ Athletics L 11–4 Milone (5–2) Porcello (3–3) 26,721 16–16 33 May 12 @ Athletics L 3–1 McCarthy (3–3) Fister (0–1) Fuentes (2) 22,077 16–17 34 May 13 @ Athletics W 3–1 Verlander (4–1) Parker (1–1) Valverde (7) 17,147 17–17 35 May 14 @ White Sox L 7–5 Stewart (1–1) Putkonen (0–2) Reed (3) 25,538 17–18 36 May 15 @ White Sox W 10–8 Balester (2–0) Ohman (0–2) Dotel (1) 21,473 18–18 37 May 16 Twins L 11–7 Burnett (1–0) Below (2–1) 33,955 18–19 38 May 17 Twins L 4–3 Walters (1–1) Fister (0–2) Capps (8) 37,840 18–20 39 May 18 Pirates W 6–0 Verlander (5–1) Morton (2–4) 41,661 19–20 40 May 19 Pirates L 4–3 Burnett (2–2) Smyly (1–1) Hanrahan (9) 42,953 19–21 41 May 20 Pirates W 4–3 Scherzer (3–3) Correia (1–5) Benoit (1) 39,971 20–21 42 May 22 @ Indians L 5–3 Jiménez (5–3) Porcello (3–4) Perez (14) 15,049 20–22 43 May 23 @ Indians L 4–2 Pestano (2–0) Coke (1–1) Perez (15) 22,000 20–23 44 May 24 @ Indians L 2–1 Masterson (2–3) Verlander (5–2) Perez (16) 23,622 20–24 45 May 25 @ Twins W 10–6 Smyly (2–1) Swarzak (0–4) 37,688 21–24 46 May 26 @ Twins W 6–3 Scherzer (4–3) Pavano (2–4) Valverde (8) 37,360 22–24 47 May 27 @ Twins W 4–3 Villarreal (1–1) Capps (0–3) Valverde (9) 38,710 23–24 48 May 28 @ Red Sox L 7–4 Doubront (5–2) Fister (0–3) 37,921 23–25 49 May 29 @ Red Sox L 6–3 Bard (5–5) Verlander (5–3) Aceves (12) 37,216 23–26 50 May 30 @ Red Sox L 6–4 Albers (1–0) Dotel (1–2) Aceves (13) 37,195 23–27 51 May 31 @ Red Sox W 7–3 Scherzer (5–3) Beckett (4–5) 37,629 24–27
June (14–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 52 June 1 Yankees L 9–4 Sabathia (7–2) Crosby (0–1) Soriano (7) 41,831 24–28 53 June 2 Yankees W 4–3 Valverde (3–1) Phelps (1–2) 44,593 25–28 54 June 3 Yankees L 5–1 Hughes (5–5) Verlander (5–4) 42,419 25–29 55 June 5 Indians L 4–2 Jiménez (6–4) Smyly (2–2) Perez (18) 33,258 25–30 56 June 6 Indians L 9–6 Gómez (4–4) Scherzer (5–4) Perez (19) 31,350 25–31 57 June 7 Indians W 7–5 Crosby (1–1) Lowe (7–4) Valverde (10) 40,851 26–31 58 June 8 @ Reds L 6–5 (10) LeCure (2–1) Coke (1–2) 38,563 26–32 59 June 9 @ Reds W 3–2 Villarreal (2–1) Marshall (1–3) Valverde (11) 42,443 27–32 60 June 10 @ Reds W 7–6 Villarreal (3–1) Chapman (4–2) Valverde (12) 34,056 28–32 61 June 12 @ Cubs L 4–3 Mármol (1–2) Coke (1–3) Camp (1) 41,164 28–33 62 June 13 @ Cubs W 8–4 Porcello (4–4) Garza (2–5) 41,326 29–33 63 June 14 @ Cubs W 5–3 Verlander (6–4) Wood (0–3) Valverde (13) 42,292 30–33 64 June 15 Rockies L 12–4 (10) Belisle (3–2) Valverde (3–2) 41,878 30–34 65 June 16 Rockies W 4–1 Fister (1–3) Friedrich (4–3) 41,800 31–34 66 June 17 Rockies W 5–0 Scherzer (6–4) Guthrie (3–6) 40,619 32–34 67 June 19 Cardinals W 6–3 Verlander (7–4) Lynn (10–3) Coke (1) 36,733 33–34 68 June 20 Cardinals L 3–1 Westbrook (6–6) Porcello (4–5) 38,871 33–35 69 June 21 Cardinals W 2–1 (10) Benoit (1–1) Marté (0–1) 40,776 34–35 70 June 22 @ Pirates L 4–1 Burnett (8–2) Fister (1–4) Hanrahan (18) 37,965 34–36 71 June 23 @ Pirates L 4–1 Lincoln (4–2) Scherzer (6–5) Hanrahan (19) 38,734 34–37 72 June 24 @ Pirates W 3–2 Verlander (8–4) Resop (0–3) 35,179 35–37 73 June 25 @ Rangers W 8–2 Porcello (5–5) Grimm (1–1) 36,920 36–37 74 June 26 @ Rangers L 7–5 Darvish (10–4) Smyly (2–3) Nathan (17) 39,561 36–38 75 June 27 @ Rangers L 13–9 Oswalt (2–0) Fister (1–5) 43,379 36–39 76 June 28 @ Rays W 5–2 Scherzer (7–5) Shields (7–5) Valverde (14) 20,532 37–39 77 June 29 @ Rays L 4–2 Price (11–4) Verlander (8–5) Rodney (22) 19,557 37–40 78 June 30 @ Rays W 6–2 Porcello (6–5) Hellickson (4–4) 29,443 38–40
July (16–10) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 79 July 1 @ Rays W 5–3 Smyly (3–3) Cobb (3–5) Valverde (15) 21,874 39–40 80 July 2 Twins L 6–4 Swarzak (2–4) Fister (1–6) Perkins (3) 37,406 39–41 81 July 3 Twins L 8–6 Gray (5–0) Villarreal (3–2) Perkins (4) 36,757 39–42 82 July 4 Twins W 5–1 Verlander (9–5) Duensing (1–5) 41,023 40–42 83 July 5 Twins W 7–3 Dotel (2–2) Burnett (2–1) 33,350 41–42 84 July 6 Royals W 4–2 Smyly (4–3) Sánchez (1–5) Valverde (16) 39,144 42–42 85 July 7 Royals W 8–7 Fister (2–6) Chen (7–8) 39,392 43–42 86 July 8 Royals W 7–1 Scherzer (8–5) Teaford (1–2) 36,693 44–42 87 July 13 @ Orioles W 7–2 Fister (3–6) Hammel (8–6) 35,566 45–42 88 July 14 @ Orioles L 8–6 (13) Gregg (3–2) Benoit (1–2) 43,125 45–43 89 July 15 @ Orioles W 4–0 Verlander (10–5) González (1–1) 30,439 46–43 90 July 16 Angels W 8–6 Dotel (3–2) Hawkins (2–2) Valverde (17) 36,806 47–43 91 July 17 Angels L 13–0 Richards (3–1) Turner (0–1) 33,950 47–44 92 July 18 Angels W 7–2 Fister (4–6) Wilson (9–6) 37,915 48–44 93 July 19 Angels W 5–1 Scherzer (9–5) Williams (6–7) 40,311 49–44 94 July 20 White Sox W 4–2 Verlander (11–5) Peavy (7–7) Valverde (18) 44,572 50–44 95 July 21 White Sox W 7–1 Porcello (7–5) Sale (11–3) 42,888 51–44 96 July 22 White Sox W 6–4 Turner (1–1) Humber (4–5) Benoit (2) 41,281 52–44 97 July 24 @ Indians L 3–2 Smith (6–2) Fister (4–7) Perez (28) 23,637 52–45 98 July 25 @ Indians W 5–3 Scherzer (10–5) Lowe (8–9) Valverde (19) 24,029 53–45 99 July 26 @ Indians L 5–3 Smith (7–2) Verlander (11–6) Perez (29) 34,579 53–46 100 July 27 @ Blue Jays L 8–3 Villanueva (6–0) Porcello (7–6) 33,962 53–47 101 July 28 @ Blue Jays L 5–1 Álvarez (7–7) Sánchez (5–8) 41,832 53–48 102 July 29 @ Blue Jays W 4–1 Fister (5–7) Cecil (2–4) Valverde (20) 35,975 54–48 103 July 30 @ Red Sox L 7–3 Buchholz (9–3) Scherzer (10–6) 37,784 54–49 104 July 31 @ Red Sox L 4–1 (6) Mortensen (1–0) Verlander (11–7) Morales (1) 37,275 54–50
August (16–11) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 105 August 1 @ Red Sox W 7–5 Porcello (8–6) Cook (2–5) Valverde (21) 37,213 55–50 106 August 3 Indians W 10–2 Sánchez (6–8) Masterson (7–10) 41,501 56–50 107 August 4 Indians W 6–1 Fister (6–7) Jiménez (8–11) 42,744 57–50 108 August 5 Indians W 10–8 (10) Downs (1–0) Perez (0–3) 38,007 58–50 109 August 6 Yankees W 7–2 Verlander (12–7) Nova (10–6) 41,381 59–50 110 August 7 Yankees W 6–5 Porcello (9–6) Hughes (11–9) Valverde (22) 39,760 60–50 111 August 8 Yankees L 12–8 Sabathia (12–3) Sánchez (6–9) 41,879 60–51 112 August 9 Yankees L 4–3 Rapada (3–0) Benoit (1–3) Soriano (27) 40,940 60–52 113 August 10 @ Rangers W 6–2 Scherzer (11–6) Feldman (6–7) 47,255 61–52 114 August 11 @ Rangers L 2–1 Adams (2–3) Villarreal (3–3) 48,303 61–53 115 August 12 @ Rangers L 8–3 Darvish (12–8) Porcello (9–7) 45,752 61–54 116 August 13 @ Twins L 9–3 Deduno (4–0) Sánchez (6–10) 34,366 61–55 117 August 14 @ Twins W 8–4 Fister (7–7) Duensing (2–8) 37,544 62–55 118 August 15 @ Twins W 5–1 Scherzer (12–6) De Vries (2–4) 37,118 63–55 119 August 17 Orioles W 5–3 Benoit (2–3) O'Day (6–1) Valverde (23) 41,620 64–55 120 August 18 Orioles L 3–2 Britton (2–1) Porcello (9–8) Johnson (36) 42,132 64–56 121 August 19 Orioles L 7–5 Chen (12–7) Fister (7–8) Johnson (37) 40,511 64–57 122 August 21 Blue Jays W 5–3 Scherzer (13–6) Romero (8–11) Valverde (24) 39,499 65–57 123 August 22 Blue Jays W 3–2 Sánchez (7–10) Laffey (3–5) Valverde (25) 37,225 66–57 124 August 23 Blue Jays W 3–2 (11) Benoit (3–3) Jenkins (0–1) 39,910 67–57 125 August 24 Angels L 2–1 Greinke (11–5) Porcello (9–9) Richards (1) 39,356 67–58 126 August 25 Angels W 5–3 Dotel (4–2) Richards (3–3) Valverde (26) 41,970 68–58 127 August 26 Angels W 5–2 Scherzer (14–6) Santana (7–11) 40,074 69–58 128 August 28 @ Royals L 9–8 Crow (3–1) Villarreal (3–4) Holland (8) 13,601 69–59 129 August 29 @ Royals L 1–0 Chen (10–10) Sánchez (7–11) Holland (9) 13,024 69–60 130 August 30 @ Royals L 2–1 Guthrie (6–12) Porcello (9–10) Herrera (1) 12,997 69–61 131 August 31 White Sox W 7–4 Dotel (5–2) Peavy (9–10) Valverde (27) 36,721 70–61
September (16–12) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 132 September 1 White Sox W 5–1 Scherzer (15–6) Liriano (5–11) 40,059 71–61 133 September 2 White Sox W 4–2 Verlander (13–7) Sale (15–6) Valverde (28) 42,192 72–61 134 September 3 Indians L 3–2 Kluber (1–3) Downs (1–1) Pestano (2) 35,418 72–62 135 September 4 Indians L 3–2 Masterson (11–12) Porcello (9–11) Perez (34) 27,729 72–63 136 September 5 Indians W 7–1 Fister (8–8) Jiménez (9–15) 28,881 73–63 137 September 7 @ Angels L 3–2 Frieri (4–0) Dotel (5–3) 40,104 73–64 138 September 8 @ Angels L 6–1 Wilson (12–9) Verlander (13–8) 41,154 73–65 139 September 9 @ Angels L 3–2 Greinke (14–5) Sánchez (7–12) Frieri (18) 38,216 73–66 140 September 10 @ White Sox L 6–1 Quintana (6–4) Porcello (9–12) 30,287 73–67 141 September 11 @ White Sox W 5–3 Fister (9–8) Peavy (10–11) Valverde (29) 26,504 74–67 142 September 12 @ White Sox W 8–6 Scherzer (16–6) Floyd (9–10) Valverde (30) 30,667 75–67 – September 13 @ White Sox Postponed (rain). Rescheduled for September 17. 143 September 14 @ Indians W 4–0 Verlander (14–8) Kluber (1–4) 17,185 76–67 144 September 15 @ Indians W 5–3 Sánchez (8–12) Masterson (11–14) Valverde (31) 22,849 77–67 145 September 16 @ Indians L 7–6 Rogers (2–3) Valverde (3–3) 17,233 77–68 146 September 17 @ White Sox L 5–4 Jones (8–0) Fister (9–9) Reed (27) 29,130 77–69 147 September 18 Athletics W 12–2 Downs (2–1) Griffin (6–1) 31,243 78–69 148 September 19 Athletics W 6–2 Verlander (15–8) Anderson (4–2) 29,734 79–69 149 September 20 Athletics L 12–4 Neshek (2–1) Sánchez (8–13) 34,635 79–70 – September 21 Twins Postponed (rain). Rescheduled for September 23. 150 September 22 Twins W 8–0 Fister (10–9) Deduno (6–5) 40,586 80–70 151 September 23 Twins L 10–4 Diamond (12–8) Scherzer (16–7) 40,438 80–71 152 September 23 Twins L 2–1 (10) Burton (2–1) Valverde (3–4) Perkins (14) 39,839 80–72 153 September 24 Royals W 6–2 Verlander (16–8) Hochevar (8–15) 31,521 81–72 154 September 25 Royals W 2–0 Sánchez (9–13) Chen (11–13) 29,048 82–72 155 September 26 Royals W 5–4 Benoit (4–3) Herrera (4–3) Valverde (32) 32,360 83–72 156 September 27 Royals W 5–4 Benoit (5–3) Collins (5–4) 33,019 84–72 157 September 28 @ Twins L 4–2 Burton (3–1) Villarreal (3–5) Perkins (16) 30,315 84–73 158 September 29 @ Twins W 6–4 Verlander (17–8) Walters (2–5) Valverde (33) 32,839 85–73 159 September 30 @ Twins W 2–1 Coke (2–3) Burton (3–2) Valverde (34) 32,554 86–73
October (2–1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 160 October 1 @ Royals W 6–3 Porcello (10–12) Chen (11–14) Valverde (35) 15,312 87–73 161 October 2 @ Royals L 4–2 Guthrie (8–12) Fister (10–10) Holland (16) 14,283 87–74 162 October 3 @ Royals W 1–0 Marte (1–0) Mendoza (8–10) Putkonen (1) 30,383 88–74

Postseason

American League Division Series

Main article: 2012 American League Division Series

American League Division Series vs Oakland Athletics (Tigers win series 3–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 1 October 6 Athletics W 3–1 Verlander (1–0) Parker (0–1) Valverde (1) 43,323 1–0 2 October 7 Athletics W 5–4 Alburquerque (1–0) Balfour (0–1) 40,684 2–0 3 October 9 @ Athletics L 2–0 Anderson (1–0) Sánchez (0–1) Balfour (1) 37,090 2–1 4 October 10 @ Athletics L 4–3 Cook (1–0) Valverde (0–1) 36,385 2–2 5 October 11 @ Athletics W 6–0 Verlander (2–0) Parker (0–2) 36,393 3–2

American League Championship Series

Main article: 2012 American League Championship Series

American League Championship Series vs New York Yankees (Tigers win series 4–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 1 October 13 @ Yankees W 6–4 (12) Smyly (1–0) Phelps (0–1) 47,122 1–0 2 October 14 @ Yankees W 3–0 Sánchez (1–0) Kuroda (0–1) Coke (1) 47,082 2–0 3 October 16 Yankees W 2–1 Verlander (1–0) Hughes (0–1) Coke (2) 42,970 3–0 – October 17 Yankees Postponed (rain). Rescheduled for October 18. 4 October 18 Yankees W 8–1 Scherzer (1–0) Sabathia (0–1) 42,477 4–0

World Series

Main article: 2012 World Series

World Series vs San Francisco Giants (Giants win series 4–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Crowd Record 1 October 24 @ Giants L 8–3 Zito (1–0) Verlander (0–1) 42,855 0–1 2 October 25 @ Giants L 2–0 Bumgarner (1–0) Fister (0–1) Romo (1) 42,982 0–2 3 October 27 Giants L 2–0 Vogelsong (1–0) Sánchez (0–1) Romo (2) 42,262 0–3 4 October 28 Giants L 4–3 (10) Casilla (1–0) Coke (0–1) Romo (3) 42,152 0–4

Record vs. opponents

2012 American League record Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2012 v t e
Team	BAL	BOS	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	LAA	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TB	TEX	TOR	NL
Baltimore	–	13–5	6–2	4–4	3–3	5–4	2–7	5–2	9–9	4–5	8–1	10–8	2–5	11–7	11–7
Boston	5–13	–	6–2	5–3	5–5	4–3	0–6	4–3	5–13	1–8	5–4	9–9	2–6	7–11	11–7
Chicago	2–6	2–6	–	11–7	6–12	6–12	3–5	14–4	5–2	3–3	8–1	4–3	6–3	6–4	9–9
Cleveland	4–4	3–5	7–11	–	10–8	8–10	5–4	6–12	1–5	2–8	4–4	4–4	4–5	2–4	8–10
Detroit	3–3	5–5	12–6	8–10	–	13–5	5–5	10–8	4–6	4–3	1–5	5–2	3–7	4–2	11–7
Kansas City	4–5	3–4	12–6	10–8	5–13	–	4–5	7–11	3–4	5–4	1–7	4–2	4–5	2–6	8–10
Los Angeles	7–2	6–0	5–3	4–5	5–5	5–4	–	6–3	4–5	9–10	11–8	1–9	10–9	4–4	12–6
Minnesota	2–5	3–4	4–14	12–6	8–10	11–7	3–6	–	3–4	4–5	2–8	1–5	2–8	2–5	9–9
New York	9–9	13–5	2–5	5–1	6–4	4–3	5–4	4–3	–	5–5	6–3	8–10	4–3	11–7	13–5
Oakland	5–4	8–1	3–3	8–2	3–4	4–5	10–9	5–4	5–5	–	12–7	5–4	11–8	5–4	10–8
Seattle	1–8	4–5	1–8	4–4	5–1	7–1	8–11	8–2	3–6	7–12	–	4–6	9–10	6–3	8–10
Tampa Bay	8–10	9–9	3–4	4–4	2–5	2–4	9–1	5–1	10–8	4–5	6–4	–	5–4	14–4	9–9
Texas	5–2	6–2	3–6	5–4	7–3	5–4	9–10	8–2	3–4	8–11	10–9	4–5	–	6–3	14–4
Toronto	7–11	11–7	4–6	4–2	2–4	6–2	4–4	5–2	7–11	4–5	3–6	4–14	3–6	–	9–9

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• Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2012

Roster

2012 Detroit Tigers
Roster
Pitchers 62 Al Alburquerque 31 Collin Balester 64 Duane Below 53 Joaquín Benoit 40 Phil Coke 45 Casey Crosby 20 Octavio Dotel 38 Darin Downs 58 Doug Fister 49 Luis Marte 56 José Ortega 48 Rick Porcello 36 Luke Putkonen 19 Aníbal Sánchez * 37 Max Scherzer 55 Daniel Schlereth 33 Drew Smyly 50 Jacob Turner * 46 José Valverde 35 Justin Verlander 60 Brayan Villarreal 54 Thad Weber 57 Adam Wilk		Catchers 13 Alex Avila 19,50 Bryan Holaday  9 Gerald Laird 18 Omir Santos * Infielders 24 Miguel Cabrera 28 Prince Fielder  4 Omar Infante * 15 Brandon Inge * 27 Jhonny Peralta 34 Hernán Pérez * 39 Ramón Santiago 29 Danny Worth Outfielders 18 Jeff Baker * 52 Quintin Berry 26 Brennan Boesch 12 Andy Dirks 34 Avisaíl García 14 Austin Jackson 32 Don Kelly 25 Ryan Raburn 36 Clete Thomas * 21 Delmon Young 38 Matt Young * Other batters 34 Brad Eldred *		Manager 10 Jim Leyland Coaches 17 Rafael Belliard (infield) 61 Tom Brookens (first base) 51 Jeff Jones (pitching) 22 Gene Lamont (third base)  8 Lloyd McClendon (hitting) 99 Scott Pickens (bullpen catcher) 59 Mike Rojas (bullpen)

(*) = Was on team for part of 2012 season.

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	SB
Alex Avila	116	367	42	89	21	2	9	48	.243	2
Jeff Baker	15	35	1	7	2	0	0	4	.200	0
Quintin Berry	94	291	44	75	10	6	2	29	.258	21
Brennan Boesch	132	470	52	113	22	2	12	54	.240	6
Miguel Cabrera	161	622	109	205	40	0	44	139	.330	4
Andy Dirks	88	314	56	101	18	5	8	35	.322	1
Brad Eldred	5	16	1	3	1	1	0	1	.188	0
Prince Fielder	162	581	83	182	33	1	30	108	.313	1
Avisaíl García	23	47	7	15	0	0	0	3	.319	0
Bryan Holaday	6	12	3	3	1	0	0	0	.250	0
Omar Infante	64	226	27	58	7	5	4	20	.257	7
Brandon Inge	9	20	2	2	1	0	1	2	.100	0
Austin Jackson	137	543	103	163	29	10	16	66	.300	12
Don Kelly	75	113	14	21	2	1	1	7	.186	2
Gerald Laird	63	174	24	49	8	1	2	11	.282	0
Jhonny Peralta	150	531	58	127	32	3	13	63	.239	1
Hernán Pérez	2	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.500	0
Ryan Raburn	66	205	14	35	14	0	1	12	.171	1
Ramón Santiago	93	228	19	47	7	1	2	17	.206	1
Omir Santos	3	8	0	1	0	0	0	1	.125	0
Clete Thomas	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Danny Worth	43	74	9	16	3	0	0	3	.216	0
Delmon Young	151	574	54	153	27	1	18	74	.267	0
Matt Young	5	10	2	1	1	0	0	1	.100	0
Pitcher Totals	162	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Team Totals	162	5476	726	1467	279	39	163	698	.268	59

Pitching

Starters

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	R	ER	BB	K
Casey Crosby	1	1	9.49	3	3	0	12+1⁄3	13	13	11	9
Doug Fister	10	10	3.45	26	26	0	161+2⁄3	73	62	37	137
Rick Porcello	10	12	4.59	31	31	0	176+1⁄3	101	90	44	107
Aníbal Sánchez	4	6	3.74	12	12	0	74+2⁄3	36	31	15	57
Max Scherzer	16	7	3.74	32	32	0	187+2⁄3	82	78	60	231
Drew Smyly	4	3	3.99	23	18	0	99+1⁄3	49	44	33	94
Jacob Turner	1	1	8.03	3	3	0	12+1⁄3	11	11	7	7
Justin Verlander	17	8	2.64	33	33	0	238+1⁄3	81	70	60	239
Adam Wilk	0	3	8.18	3	3	0	11	11	10	3	7

Bullpen

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	R	ER	BB	K
Al Alburquerque	0	0	0.68	8	0	0	13+1⁄3	1	1	8	18
Collin Balester	2	0	6.50	11	0	0	18	14	13	11	12
Duane Below	2	1	3.88	27	1	0	46+1⁄3	25	20	8	29
Joaquín Benoit	5	3	3.68	73	0	2	71	31	29	22	84
Phil Coke	2	3	4.00	66	0	1	54	28	24	18	51
Octavio Dotel	5	3	3.57	57	0	1	58	23	23	12	62
Darin Downs	2	1	3.48	18	0	0	20+2⁄3	8	8	9	20
Luis Marte	1	0	2.82	13	0	0	22+1⁄3	7	7	9	19
José Ortega	0	0	3.38	2	0	0	2+2⁄3	1	1	1	4
Luke Putkonen	0	2	3.94	12	0	1	16	7	7	8	10
Daniel Schlereth	0	0	10.29	6	0	0	7	10	8	5	6
José Valverde	3	4	3.78	71	0	35	69	34	29	27	48
Brayan Villarreal	3	5	2.63	50	0	0	54+2⁄3	20	16	28	66
Thad Weber	0	1	9.00	2	0	0	4	4	4	2	1
Team Pitching Totals	88	74	3.75	162	162	40	1430+2⁄3	670	596	438	1318

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Toledo Mud Hens	International League	Phil Nevin
AA	Erie SeaWolves	Eastern League	Chris Cron
A	Lakeland Flying Tigers	Florida State League	Dave Huppert
A	West Michigan Whitecaps	Midwest League	Ernie Young
A-Short Season	Connecticut Tigers	New York–Penn League	Andrew Graham
Rookie	GCL Tigers	Gulf Coast League	Basilio Cabrera

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Lakeland