The winning streak is just a nice cherry on Detroit's September sundae. They're not going to end the year on a 25 game winning streak by winning out, so it's going to come to an end sometime. You'd think anyway since a 25 game winning streak would be a Major League record, beating the existing record by a number of games.
So Penny's start today is more of a post-season audition more than anything. Detroit's magic number is 3 and with the other four arms in the rotation that have been clicking of late, the division race is over. Detroit won't need a 5 man starting rotation in the playoffs, especially in the short ALDS series, so it comes down to figuring out which one pitcher or maybe even 2 is left off that roster or put in the bullpen.
Penny is likely with a 10-10 record and an ERA over 5. He also labors more than any other starter and would put more wear and tear on the bullpen. Today he's given up 4 runs on 5 hits in 2 innings pitched.
While everyone else is getting stronger, Penny isn't keeping up. Justin Verlander is the best pitcher in baseball right now. Doug Fister has an ERA below 2 in his Tiger starts. He looks like the second best pitcher on the staff. Scherzer can labor at times but he's had stretches of dominance. Porcello has gotten bombed in some starts and has a high ERA but he too has had stretches of dominance.
Penny looks like the obvious odd man out.
Carlos Guillen has hit his 3rd home run of the season for Detroit, but if they're going to stretch the winning streak to 12 it will be in spite of the pitching, which has been a rarity over the last 25 games or so.
Even with a loss, taking 2 of 3 in their last matchup of the season ends any chance of a comeback for the ages from the White Sox.
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