DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have more pitchers than they’ll ever be able to carry into October, and the final 17 games of the regular season will serve as a crowded audition for what will likely be 12 spots on the playoff roster.

With a comfortable lead in the American League Central, the division is essentially in hand . The Tigers’ 99.9 percent playoff odds allow us to shift the focus to topics that might otherwise feel premature -- like deciding who belongs on the October staff.

The Tigers currently have 14 pitchers on the active roster, plus three strong candidates who haven’t yet returned from injury. That means tough decisions and, inevitably, some hurt feelings.

The best way to look at the Tigers’ decision-making process is this: Skubal plus 11.

No, Tarik Skubal won’t be t

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