“I prepared myself like it was possible,” Verlander said after Game 4. “I didn’t know what anybody had planned or what the plans were coming in, but I knew there was a chance. So I just threw my [bullpen session] on my normal day and prepared as best I could.

“It’s not just another game. The season is on the line. The whole season, the way we battled and played as a team, comes down to one game. May the best team win. You can’t treat it like another game, you know. It’s a little bit different. There is more to it. It’s going to be fun. It’s what you play the game for. It’s exciting. This is what you dream of as a kid, to be on the mound in a clinching game.”

“We used a 21-game winner out of the bullpen and now we can pitch a Cy Young winner in his place,” marveled center fielder Austin Jackson. “How many teams could do that?”

via Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander: Game 5 start ‘not just another game’ | tigers.com: News.

Henry: “Hey, you’re startin’.”

Chet: “Yeah, I’m shaking like a rookie.”

H: “Don’t worry about it: it’s just the biggest game of your life.”

C: (Stares at Henry) “I know,”(laughs).

H: “Come on!” (Grabs Chet by the arm, leads him out of the dugout).

Manager: “Alright, listen up, listen up. Alright now. This is the big one. Justin’s on the hill. Let’s back him up. Play hard. Let’s go.”