Detroit @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 11, 2010 ) Cleveland 8, Detroit 9
Justin Verlander finally looked like an ace in his last start.
Detroit's right-hander will try to build on that on Saturday when takes the mound at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Indians.
After staggering through his first five starts with varying degrees of success and a 1-2 record, Verlander finally looked like the pitcher who dominated the American League last season in Sunday's outing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Verlander shut down the Angels offense, allowing one run and three hits in 8 1/3 innings in a 5-1 win. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter.
A high pitch count has been Verlander's biggest issue. He threw 120 pitches agaunst the Angels, but that was more economical than he had been in his first five starts. He threw 121 and 125 pitches in his previous two outings, but lasted only five and 5 2/3 innings in those two games. Those starts didn't please manager Jim Leyland, who didn't like the idea of going to his bullpen that early in games started by his ace pitcher.
Verlander was knocked around by the Indians on April 11 at Comerica Park, but a late rally got him off the hook. Cleveland scored five times in the first, highlighted by Luis Valbuena's grand slam. Verlander allowed six runs in five innings, but the Tigers rallied for three in the ninth and a 9-8 win.
Verlander hasn't lost to the Indians since 2008 and was 4-0 against Cleveland last season.
Making his sixth start, Justin Masterson is still looking for his first win.
It's been a struggle for the right-hander since he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Victor Martinez at last season's trade deadline. He's 1-12 in 16 appearances since joining the Indians. Masterson's only win came on Aug. 20 last season when he beat the Angels. He has lost nine straight decisions and the Indians are 2-3 in his five starts.
Masterson recovered from a rough beginning against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. He gave up three runs in the first two innings, including Denard Span's home run in the second.
The hurler regrouped nicely, holding the Twins scoreless until Justin Morneau hit a solo homer with one out in the eighth. His line ended up being respectable - four runs and 10 hits with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The Indians won in 11 innings.
Friday night's game was postponed after four innings with the Tigers leading by a 7-6 score. Since the game didn't go five innings, none of the statistics count. No makeup date was announced.
The postponement means both teams carry losing streaks into Saturday's game. Detroit has lost three straight while Cleveland has lost four in a row and six of seven.