Leyland: Scherzer in Game 1 was 'no-brainer'

OAKLAND -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland saw the postgame shows Friday night lauding him for his decision to start Max Scherzer over Justin Verlander in Game 1.

To Leyland, though, the decision wasn't with Game 1, but the game after that.

"If the truth be known, in my mind, I thought it was a no-brainer, the first-game starter," Leyland said. "I thought the second-game starter was a tough one, because you could've had [Anibal] Sanchez or Verlander. I picked Verlander simply because he's been on this big stage out here. I thought it would be good for him. He's shown that he can do it."

Sanchez's strength at home also played a part. The debate over whether Leyland made the right choice in Game 1, and whether Scherzer's gem allowed him to sleep better, flummoxed him.

"Sleep better? I thought it was a no-brainer," Leyland said. "And now everybody's saying, 'Boy, he made a good choice.' I made a good choice whether he did good or bad. I mean, I made a good choice now because he did good? It was the right choice."