Justin Verlander gets another one of those starts after a Tigers loss tonight when he goes for his 21st win against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.
Verlander (20-5) got his 20th win Aug. 27 in Minnesota, becoming the first pitcher this season to do so, but it didn't come easy. Verlander gave up four runs in six innings, one of his shortest outings of the season, but his offense picked up him up with a 6-4 win.
He'll make his 20th start of the season following a Tigers loss after the Kansas City Royals overcame a late deficit yesterday to win, 11-8. Verlander is 14-3 in such games this season.
Tonight he'll face off against John Danks (6-9) who has rebounded from a shaky start to his season. The White Sox have won the last four games he's started, which included a three-hit complete game on Aug. 27 against Seattle, a 3-0 win.
The first-place Tigers lead both Chicago and Cleveland by 5 1/2 games in the AL Central division. Detroit has lost three of its last five games after winning eight of its previous nine contests.
Pitching Matchups
Friday, Sept. 2
John Danks (6-9, 3.63 ERA) at Justin Verlander (20-5, 2.38 ERA)
Danks career vs. DET: 4-5, 3.95 ERA, 70 strikeouts
Verlander career vs. CWS: 10-10, 4.45 ERA, 116 strikeouts
Saturday, Sept. 3
Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.36 ERA) at Brad Penny (9-10, 5.07 ERA)
Floyd career vs. DET: 6-1, 3.31 ERA, 71 strikeouts
Penny career vs. CWS: 3-0, 2.89 ERA, 10 strikeouts
-This game will be one of the three regional broadcasts on FOX.
Sunday, Sept. 4
Mark Buehrle (11-6, 3.05 ERA) at Max Scherzer (13-8, 4.52 ERA)
Buehrle career vs. DET: 18-9, 3.13 ERA, 135 strikeouts
Scherzer career vs. CWS: 2-3, 2.61 ERA, 52 strikeouts
-This game has been selected for "Sunday Night Baseball" on ESPN2 and will be nationally telecast.