Justin Verlander takes the mound Wednesday night for the Detroit Tigers against the Oakland Athletics while the Tigers try to keep within striking distance of the American League Central Division-leading Chicago White Sox.
Both the Tigers and the White Sox won Tuesday, so Chicago stayed three games ahead of the Tigers in the standings.
Verlander was outstanding in his only previous start this season against Oakland. He went seven innings on May 13 and gave up one run on two hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. The reigning American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner has pitched at least six innings in 29 of his 30 starts this season.
For the Athletics, Brett Anderson will pitch in an effort to maintain the team's hold on the first of two Wild Card playoff spots. The Athletics are a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, who are tied for the second spot. Anderson is making his sixth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, and he has a 1.93 ERA in 32 2/3 innings.
First pitch at Comerica Park is at 7:05 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on FS-D and ESPN.
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