The one inning that made Max in 2013
I PITCHED WELL in Game 1 of the ALDS against Oakland -- seven innings, 11 Ks -- and went in to Jim Leyland before Game 4 and said, 'I haven't played catch yet, but I imagine my arm feels good. If you need me in relief, I'm available.'
He didn't want to do it. We had Doug Fister on the mound that night, and we knew Verlander would be able to pitch Game 5, but Leyland was ultracautious with me about it. When he relented a bit, he wanted to make sure I was capable of relieving and that my arm was OK. I had to give him assurance that, 'Yes, I feel confident,' and, 'No, we're not taking a risk.'