Rick Porcello might be headed to the bullpen for the postseason. He might be getting a head start this weekend.

The Detroit Tigers said Friday morning that left-hander Jose Alvarez will start Friday night in place of Porcello in their series opener with the Miami Marlins.

The Tigers have three games against the Marlins this weekend before a four-day break prior to the start of the American League Division Series, which will begin next Friday. They will likely try to get all their pitchers a decent amount of work against the Marlins to avoid the possibility that some of them could go six or eight days -- or more -- between appearances.

At this point, the starters for the final two games of the season remain unchanged. Anibal Sanchez is scheduled to start Saturday and Justin Verlander on Sunday.

Alvarez is 1-4 with a 5.50 ERA in 13 games for the Tigers this season. He is 1-3 with a 4.62 ERA in five starts for Detroit.

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