PITCHERS IN POSITION TO HELP THEIR OWN CAUSE

It’s a long shot to be sure, but nonetheless, it is a possibility. With the Detroit Tigers taking their pursuit of an American League wild-card playoff position on the road in Atlanta this weekend to face the National League Braves, it means they won’t have a designated hitter at their disposal. Detroit pitchers will be required to bat and that means for the first time since 1972, the last season the AL did not employ a DH, there’s a chance that an AL playoff position could be clinched via a game-winning hit from a pitcher. “I’m sure (Justin) Verlander is already dreaming about it,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of his ace starter. Preparing for their three-game set starting Friday at Turner Field, Detroit pitchers have been taking part in batting practice. “I took a little bit earlier this week,” said Tigers starter Matt Boyd, who offered up a promising scouting report on Verlander. “He’s been raking,” Boyd said. Boyd didn’t want to consider the notion of having the game and perhaps the season on the line with a bat in his hands. “That would be pretty special,” he acknowledged. “But don’t get me thinking about that. “That’s a whole another thing.” There is precedence for Detroit hurlers contributing at the plate in a playoff-clinching scenario. When Detroit won the 1968 AL pennant, starter Joe Sparma tied the score with a fifth-inning RBI single during their Sept. 17, 1968 comefrom-behind 2-1 win over the New York Yankees. If you are looking for a candidate to be a hitting hero among Detroit’s current pitching staff, look no further than Daniel Norris. He clouted a home run at Wrigley Field in his first big-league plate appearance on Aug. 19, 2015.