BALTIMORE -- In the end, Rajai Davis was ready to go.
Davis, who suffered a pubic symphasis strain in the last weekend of the season, showed up early for work Thursday at Camden Yards, underwent treatment and agility testing, and appeared all set to start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Orioles.
"He looked good and he felt fine," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus of his center fielder.
Ausmus also said that Davis declared himself a nine-inning player and might even steal a base, so when the Tigers' playoff roster was released Thursday morning, Davis -- and his 36 regular-season stolen bases -- was on it.
"We also have a couple of guys to protect him in center," Ausmus said.
Meaning if Davis suffers a setback, ether Don Kelly or Ezequiel Carrera would be available to step in.
DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT
With a seed of doubt that Davis' body will hold up throughout the ALDS, the Tigers went with 14 position players and 11 pitchers on their roster
Left-handed reliever Blaine Hardy, a pleasant surprise during the regular season, was among those who didn't make the cut.
Instead, Kyle Lobstein, who filled in admirably in the starting rotation when Anibel Sanchez got hurt, will be one of two left-handed relievers against the Orioles. Phil Coke is the other.
Ausmus said he kept Lobstein instead of Hardy because Lobstein would be "better to go long."
VERLANDER OVER PRICE IN GAME 2
Justin Verlander will get the ball for the Tigers in Game 2 against the Orioles on Friday, which raised more than a few eyebrows in Detroit when the rotation was announced earlier this week.
Verlander finished the regular season with a gaudy 4.54 ERA, while Price had a 3.26 ERA and threw 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Minnesota Twins in Game 162, which helped seal the Tigers' fourth straight AL Central title.
That said, Verlander's last two starts were solid, and he's got a history of coming up big in the playoffs.
"The bigger the stage, the brighter the lights, the better he performs," Ausmus said.
Verlander, who lost some velocity on his fastball after undergoing core muscle surgery in the offseason, was reaching 96 mph recently and said there's a reason for it.
"The adjustments are taking hold, and I was feeling better at the end of the season," he said.
Price will pitch Game 3 at Comerica Park on Sunday.
VERLANDER ON SCHERZER
For the past five seasons, Verlander has had a front-row seat to watch Game 1 starter Max Scherzer develop into one of the top pitchers in the game, culminating in a Cy Young Award last season.
Verlander chalks it up to Scherzer's "talent finally reaching his ability."
"It's been a lot of fun to watch," Verlander said. "He's just about as dominant as they come now."
WHY SO EARLY?
After Thursday's 5:37 p.m. start, there won't be much time to rest. First pitch for Game 2 on Friday is 12:07 p.m.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he wouldn't complain about the quick turnaround, then he sort of did.
"What is the reasoning?" he asked. "Markets?" What's that do to our markets?"
