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    • The Detroit Tigers are taking their cues from the selfless, unstoppable Matt Vierling
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    The Detroit Tigers are taking their cues from the selfless, unstoppable Matt Vierling

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

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    It’s just a small thing.

    But it means a lot.

    As Will Vest finishes warming up, he takes a look at Matt Vierling.

    “Me and him got a little thing going,” the Detroit Tigers reliever said Wednesday after a 3-0 win over Cleveland in Game 3 of the ALDS. “Every time I throw my last warmup pitch in the inning, I walk around and we just have a little telepathy.”

    A little telepathy?

    “We look at each other and he makes me laugh – like, ‘Let’s get going!'” Vest said. “I love strolling around the hill and seeing him there.”

    OK, I didn’t see that coming.

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    At least the telepathy part of it. But it doesn’t surprise me.

    Because Vierling does so many little things to help this team win. He’s been a big reason the Tigers have come alive in recent months and a big reason they’ve gotten within one win of the ALCS. The Tigers hold a 2-1 lead over Cleveland in the best-of-five series and can eliminate the Guardians in Game 4 on Thursday at Comerica Park.

    “He’s a winning player and I’ve been saying that for some time,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said. “How he contributes to victories on so many levels.”

    A defensive gem

    OK, so let’s try to break down some of these possibilities.

    Beyond telepathy.

    And let’s start with his defense.

    On Wednesday afternoon, the Tigers found themselves in a serious bind in the top of the seventh.

    Cleveland had two ons and two outs and David Fry started.

    “I just try to be ready for the ball,” Vierling said. “I know he likes to pull the ball a lot, so I know he’s trying to get the clubhead out. And I was just prepared for whatever came my way.”

    Fry hit a line drive to the left side of the infield – and it looked like a two-run RBI.

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    But Vierling jumped into the air, stretched his hand as high as he could, grabbed the ball way over his head and brought his fist down to the ground: “Yes!”

    “A great catch,” shortstop Trey Sweeney said. “He got up quickly. Also a very important game. It was very sporty.”

    Brant Hurter was in the clubhouse doing post-pitching work. “Unbelievable,” said Hurter. “A game-saving move.”

    Vierling came to the ground, ball in hand, fist clenched and screaming.

    “I had the feeling that it was a big move for us,” emphasized Vierling cautiously. “Anytime we can provide a good defensive game for the pitchers who have worked super hard for us all day, I am passionate about the entire team, the entire city, putting on a good game.”

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    An important cog in the batting order

    OK, here’s another little thing.

    Which is actually a big deal.

    On Wednesday, he batted third in the order to crush the Tigers’ lefties.

    “We know they’re going to attack (Kerry Carpenter) right-handed, so he’s got to be prepared to hit both right-handed and left-handed,” Hinch said.

    In the bottom of the third, Jake Rogers hit a double and advanced to third with a groundout. After the Guardians intentionally abandoned Carpenter, Vierling found himself in a monster situation.

    His only job: Join this run.

    That’s exactly what he did when he hit a sacrifice fly, and the record crowd at Comerica Park went crazy.

    “When you’re up on the field (on the street) and you have 45,000 fans yelling at you to hit it out, sometimes it can be difficult,” Vierling said. “But on the other hand, you know, you did it.” 45,000 people screaming for you in big situations can sometimes give you a boost as a team and as a player. So yeah, being able to experience that today was really special.”

    MORE SEIDEL: The Tigers’ Trey Sweeney has been named as a throw-in for the Jack Flaherty trade. Give me a break

    Vierling represents everything this team is about.

    He is completely selfless.

    A tough competitor.

    Seemingly unshakable.

    But he has this funny side.

    And he’s teaching this young team how to win the right way.

    “He’s a real leader in the development of some of our players,” Hinch said.

    Yes, this is the type of guy you can model an entire team after.

    “He can play anywhere,” Parker Meadows said. “He was the key to where we are now. And you know, he was absolutely electrifying on both sides. Had a hell of a year offensively, was just a smart player. He’s also a leader.”

    OK.

    There’s one more thing he did.

    It’s his versatility.

    On Wednesday he played third, but he also played first base and all three outfield positions.

    “You know, maybe tomorrow he’ll play right field, which is as far away from where he played today as possible, and he’ll just accept the assignment and go over there and do his part,” Hinch said. “I love Matt Vierling, and as someone who has played in the World Series, he has played on good teams and understands the little things that turn into big things.”

    Oh yes, back to the little things.

    It’s like doing a little telepathy with a pitcher before a big moment, like you’re communicating your confidence and belief to him.

    Or make a great defensive play.

    Or knock while running.

    More: The Tigers’ Trey Sweeney has been named as a throw-in for the Jack Flaherty trade. Give me a break

    He was indeed a guiding light.

    A ray from the darkness.

    And it suggests something magical.

    Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff. To read his latest columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel.

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    Madoc Meredith
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